| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 917.1 | | CSC32::P_SO | Get those shoes off your head! | Wed May 01 1996 14:44 | 21 |
|
So, who'll be the first to try it. Not me. 2$ a day for the rest
of your life and possible brain and lung damage does not make this
an attractive product to me.
The major problem I see with this product is that it targets the
symptoms of obesity and not the cause, IMHO. I am 50 pounds
overweight. I did not gain any of that weight because I was
hungry. I eat for emotional reasons and I don't stop eating
because I am full. I stop because the food runs out, plain
and simple. Maybe others are not like me, in that case, go
for it if you think it will work. But, I am doing it the
old fashioned way, slowly but surely.
If anyone does try it, please let us know how you do. I
am really interested in how successful this drug will be.
This is all just my own opinion, I will be greaty pleased to
find out I am wrong.
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| 917.2 | Me first! | BIGQ::BERNIER | | Thu May 02 1996 12:19 | 12 |
|
I don't believe one will have to take is for the rest of their life,
just until their goal is reached. With successful behavior modification
and proper vitamin intake while taking it I don't see why one can't be
successful.
I'll let you know how it works.
(My brain is already damaged and the lung disorder is *rare*)
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| 917.3 | I don't think so... | SCAMP::PENNELLA | | Thu May 02 1996 18:20 | 9 |
| I agree with .1 I myself will not be using this. I am 100 lbs
overweight and I also eat for emotional reasons, not because I'm
hungry. I think being motivated to eat healthier and excersise will be
what helps me loose weight... and a good psychiatrist!! I have trouble
taking aspirin for a headache... no, thanks I'll pass on the new drug!
With my luck I'd be one of the "rare" ones who develop the lung
trouble!!
Terri
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| 917.4 | Give Me the Pills! | IMTDEV::KELLY | | Fri May 03 1996 19:39 | 6 |
| I, on the other hand, would probably give it a try! I absolutey
HATE to be hungry when I want to control my weight and I have not
been satisifed with the products on the market so far. They either
don't work or they give me the jitters.
-Nancy
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| 917.5 | here's an earlier article on Redux, prior to approval | TNPUBS::PAINTER | Planet Crayon | Mon Jun 03 1996 22:46 | 83 |
|
AP 29 Sep 95 0:30 EDT V0962
Copyright 1995 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
FDA Rejects Obesity Drug Sale
ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- A new drug effectively fools obese patients into
feeling full so that they will lose weight, scientists told the Food
and Drug Administration.
But a bitterly divided FDA panel couldn't put aside worries about a
theoretical risk that it could cause brain damage, so the government
advisers voted 5-3 Thursday to reject the drug's sale in this country.
The issue remains open, however, after a panelist won a revote.
"I cannot live with my conscience tonight," proponent Dr. Nemat Borhani
of the University of California, Davis, said after he was outvoted.
His impassioned plea for the first new obesity drug in 22 years
prompted the panel to revote -- but after three opponents had gone
home. The three supporters again voted yes, two opponents voted no, and
the ballot remained open Friday for the three missing panelists to
finally decide the issue.
Interneuron Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its dexfenfluramine helped 40
percent of patients studied lose up to 10 percent of their body weight,
twice that lost with diet alone. The majority lost 5 percent to 10
percent.
But when dexfenfluramine is given in ultra-high doses to animals it can
permanently alter their brain chemicals. There is no proof that this
happens in people and dexfenfluramine would only be given to Americans
in one-tenth of the dose found to be risky. Still, the finding worried
the FDA panel.
Two doctors raised the fear that Redux -- the drug's brand name --
could hurt patients. Redux given at high doses cripple animals' ability
to produce serotonin naturally after the drug is stopped, studies show.
These drugs "should be used with the greatest caution if at all," said
Lewis Seiden of the University of Chicago.
Some FDA panelists questioned whether Seiden's concern was relevant
because the animals were given doses 20 to 30 times higher than any
person would take. The company said it has seen no sign of brain damage
in the 10 million people who have taken Redux in the 65 countries where
it is sold.
The panel said Interneuron should answer the concerns with a
well-designed two-year trial of Redux in Americans.
The panel also was more concerned with indications that Redux could
cause a fatal lung disease in certain patients. This disease, primary
pulmonary hypertension, affects one or two of every million people, but
obliterates the lungs' ability to get oxygen to the heart.
But most of the panelists agreed that Redux's risk was very small --
and acceptable -- for this disease. One study shows that at worst Redux
could cause 10 deaths in five years from this disease, compared with
the hundreds of obesity-related deaths the drug could prevent in the
same time, said Gerald Faich of the University of Pennsylvania.
Not everyone responds to the pill, however, and the company suggested
that doctors discontinue therapy for any patient who does not lose four
pounds within the first month of taking Redux.
Obesity, defined as being more than 20 percent over ideal weight,
causes 20 million new illnesses in the United States yearly and kills
300,000.
Doctors typically urge patients to diet and exercise to drop the
pounds, but almost all the few who succeed regain the weight within
five years. The FDA has not approved any drug that can be used by these
patients for more than several months because of concerns about risks.
The majority of approved obesity drugs are amphetamines, which can be
addictive.
The only nonamphetamine treatment is called fenfluramine, and
Interneuron is seeking to sell a chemical relative of that drug for
patients to use for years at a time. Dexfenfluramine is safer and
possibly more effective than its older cousin, the company said.
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| 917.6 | This was forwarded to me, fyi | TNPUBS::PAINTER | Planet Crayon | Tue Aug 06 1996 23:58 | 86 |
|
From: Worst Pills/Best Pills News, July 1996, p.1
Public Citizen's Health Research Group
Editor: Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe
Dexfenfluramine (Redux): A Diet Drug Without Proven Value and Possible
Serious Adverse Effects
In a reckless and irresponsible move, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) had disregarded the advice of neuroscientists (specialists in
brain chemistry and physiology) and approved the diet drug
dexfenfluramine (Redux) for long term use. At issue is
dexfenfluramine's potential to cause serious neurotoxicity (changes in
structure and function of the brain.)
Public Citizen's Health Research Group wrote FDA Commissioner David
Kessler on April 29, 1996 in support of the opinion of 22
neuroscientists who asked that approval be deferred until the safety
question could be answered. The scientists were worried because
neurotoxicity has consistently been found in a variety of laboratory
animals given dexfenfluramine. Some of the scientists contacted the FDA
in 1993 and again in 1995 asking that the effects of dexfenfluramine on
human brains be studied carefully before the drug was released for
general public use. The FDA did not take this advice and recently
cleared dexfenfluramine for use for periods up to one year.
The proposed studies in humans would have been possible because
dexfenfluramine is not a new drug. Pondamin (fenfluramine), another
diet drug, has been on the U.S. market for 20 years and is 50 percent
dexfenfluramine. Dexfenfluramine as a single drug has been available in
Europe since the early 1990s. Scientists have developed methods, using
modern brain imaging devices, to test for possible neurotoxicity in
people who have taken dexfenfluramine.
The request to delay dexfenfluramine is logical, sound, and in the best
interest of public health. If the answer to a potentially serious
safety problem can be obtained before a drug is approved it is only
sound public health policy to get it. Waiting to look for neurotoxicity
until after dexfenfluramine is released just makes guinea pigs of the
American people in a very large experiment. Wyeth-Ayerst, maker of
dexfenfluramine, says it will do post-marketing surveillance to check
for possible neurotoxicity.
Dexfenfluramine is not a "break-through drug" - one of those rare
medications that offer a significant, proven benefit that other drugs
lack. The scientific evidence shows dexfenfluramine results in weight
loss so meager that it is of unknown value in reducing the health risks
of obesity. Not only that, but the drug is associated with a rare but
serious adverse reaction, primary pulmonary hypertension.
These are the facts about dexfenfluramine:
- On average, studies show that persons taking dexfenfluramine over a
period of one year may lose up to 7.5 pounds more weight than others
who take a dummy dose (placebo).
- Those who use dexfenfluramine for longer than three months are nine
times more likely to develop primary pulmonary hypertension than those
who have never used the drug. Primary pulmonary hypertension is not
a simple rise in blood pressure that can be treated with ordinary
antihypertensives (drugs to lower blood pressure); rather, it is a
potentially fatal adverse drug reaction. Drugs used to lower blood
pressure often do not work to treat primary pulmonary hypertension
and when they do not, in extreme cases the patient may require a
heart-lung transplant.
- Drug regulatory authorities in France and the United Kingdom have
restricted the use of dexfenfluramine to three months because of its
association with primary pulmonary hypertension.
- Neuroscientists are worried about dexfenfluramine's neurotoxic
potential in humans.
There are no "magic bullets" for losing weight and keeping it off.
Changing eating habits and exercise are the only known ways to reduce
the long term health risks of obesity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Health Research Group was co-founded in 1971 by Ralph Nadar and
Sidney Wolfe in Washington, D.C., to fight for the public's health, and
to give consumers more control over decisions that affect their health.
To subscribe to this newsletter, the annual subscription price is $16.00
(12 issues). Mail subscriptions to: Worst Pills Best Pills News,
Circulation Department, 1600 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.
|
| 917.7 | Well, it's here.... | BIGQ::BERNIER | | Tue Aug 27 1996 05:12 | 23 |
|
This is the first time I've seen an advertisement for this. I've lost
18 pounds in the last several months but am actually 20 from goal.
This is tempting.......
An Ad in "Worcester Magazine":
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM * Doctors supervised weight loss management using
fenfluramine and phentermine.
* Comprehensive program includes medication,
Education and behavioral counseling.
Vernon Medical Center (Worcester, Mass.)
|
| 917.8 | Input from Am. College of Sports Medicine | SMURF::BOLAND | | Tue Aug 27 1996 15:32 | 16 |
| I just finished a week long course with the American College of Sports
Medicine. They discussed this program and told us it was only for
people who were very over weight. The doctor who spoke said it should
be used as part of a program that included learning about diet,
exercise and therapy to deal with emotional issues around food.
He was very clear that this should only be done with a doctor and
limited to people whose weight is having a serious impact on their
health.
After this course I didn't have any day dreams about trying this. Of
course as someone who has struggled for years, I wanted to think this
would be magic. This course stressed exercise (cross train), learn how
to eat and drink water. It was a big class and every person came in
with a bottle of water. The presenter on water said "oh, I see I am
preaching to the choir".
|
| 917.9 | I'm going on this.. | ACISS2::SEIBERTR | | Thu Aug 29 1996 16:06 | 40 |
| Hi,
I am going on this program soon. I do have a lot of weight
to lose...about 100lbs. I am going through a doctor. He did
a nice presentation for his new patients on our first night
in which he said basically what you guys have been talking about..
that there can be side effects (the most common he has seen
is diarrhea). The side effects are almost polar opposites
of each other depending on what drug you are most sensitive to-
for example: sleeplessness and drowsiness. There can be a very
serious side effect of Pulmonary-something which impacts your
heart and lungs and can be fatal. This is extremely rare, but
a hazard that people need to be aware of.
On our first night, I was in a group presentation, and the
second time in we did the labs. He checkes everything out
carefully from all the hormones, thyroid, cholesterol, lipids..
etc. We have to keep a diary of what we eat and we have to
go in every week for a check up-every three months he will
redo the blood.
One other thing he keeps track of which rather impressed me was
he does a pie chart of our muscle weight compared to our fat
weight. For example, people may be tempted to abuse the drugs
by not eating correctly. They will lose weight, however their
percentage of body fat will actually increase because the body
has burned muscle instead of fat. He has a scale which you stand
on barefoot that somehow gives him a reading of body fat. If he
thinks you are abusing the drugs he will take you off of them.
He also said that this program is not for anyone "who wants
to lose a couple pounds to get back into their Gloria Vanderbuilt
jeans."
Overall, I feel I am getting good care while on this program.
As soon as I get my prescription filled, I will enter a note.
Hopefully, I will not be one of those that gets the lung disease..
I am nervous about that. I really feel I need the help of this
program so here I go...jumping off another cliff.
RS
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| 917.10 | a little more | ACISS2::SEIBERTR | | Thu Aug 29 1996 16:13 | 19 |
| After that long note, I forgot to mention in our weekly
check ups we will be going over eating better and excercising.
He wants to get me up to 5 days a week of walking. Right now
he said start doing something small, even a little 15 min walk
around the block with my dog (who could use a little excercise too).
He will be doing our blood pressure and listening to our hearts
and getting feedback on any side effects too.
He very strongly discouragad drinking alchohol and we practically
had to sign a form saying we were not trying to get pregnant
while taking the drugs. If we want to go off the pills, he
recommended slowly getting weaned off opposed to stoping cold
turkey..however if we did get pregnant..then we are to stop
taking them immediately.
Well, I think I covered all the points so far....
RS
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| 917.11 | Me Too! | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Thu Aug 29 1996 16:15 | 13 |
| RS, good luck. Please let us know how your are doing.
I have an appointment with my doctor on Sept 9th to discuss my going on
weight loss program. I have a little over 100 lbs to take off and I
need help to do it. I have tried everything, I think I have gaines and
lost 1000 lbs in my lifetime. Everytime I take it off it creeps back
on and adds more. With the help of this pill, according to the reports
that I have read, I will be able to use it to maintain the weight lose.
Hopefully the doctor will approve my trying it.
Wish me luck.
Pat
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| 917.12 | good luck!! | ACISS2::SEIBERTR | | Thu Aug 29 1996 16:21 | 7 |
| Pat--good luck!! Unfortunately (or fortunately!!) I got
a new job at Comdisco and will be leaving Digital--Sept 6th
is my last day. I want to try to get at least one more
note in here after I am taking the pills.
Thanks,
RS
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| 917.13 | Redux - (Dexfenfluramine) | BIGQ::BERNIER | | Tue Sep 03 1996 02:26 | 6 |
| 917.13 | last note | ACISS2::SEIBERTR | | Thu Sep 05 1996 17:36 | 9 |
| Well, this will be my last note. I started taking
the drugs yesterday. I could definetly feel something yesterday.
I felt kind of jumpy-exactly the same as when I took Dexatrim.
I was not hungry at all, in fact it was hard to eat. I was
thristy. Today, I'm not jumpy at all. I feel pretty much
the same as I usually would. I am not hungry though and I am
more thirsty than usual. So far so good...
Renee
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| 917.14 | a little more | ACISS2::SEIBERTR | | Thu Sep 05 1996 21:00 | 13 |
| Oh one other thing I noticed... it seems as though my
taste buds are extremely sensitive. I can ***really**
taste food. I had something that was greasy and normally
that wouldn't bother me but it was almost too gross to eat
this time around. When I get hungry, even though I don't
"feel" hungry, I can tell that I am hungry because I get
kind of spacey and more thirsty-as soon as I eat I am ok.
I can see how someone could abuse these very easily....they
are definetly more powerful that anything I have tried in the
store (Dexatrim and so on).
Renee
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| 917.15 | Well, here goes.... | BIGQ::BERNIER | | Mon Sep 09 1996 09:58 | 9 |
|
Well, I started taking "Redux" recently. (Dexfenfluramine HCI
Capsules) Like the couple previous notes mentioned I feel 'full'
and some things seem to 'gross' to eat. I also walk 4+ miles a day
(which I have been doing right along.) A friend of mine has been on
the fenfluramine and phentermine combo and lost 20 pounds to date.
(a little over a months time)
|
| 917.16 | My Last Chance | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Mon Sep 09 1996 17:28 | 8 |
| Well, I had my appointment with my doctor this morning and he is
putting me on the fenfluramine and phentermine combo. He said that he
hasn't prescribed "Redux" to anyone yet because he hasn't read enough
about it and he wants to look into it further.
I will keep updating on the progress.
Pat
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| 917.17 | | ASDG::CALL | | Mon Sep 09 1996 19:17 | 4 |
| There is an article on the redux pill in the readers digest this month.
My Mother started on this pill...she is taking the Herbalife. She said
her doctor told her it was ok to take both...The jury is still out on
this one...
|
| 917.18 | UPDATE - 1 1/2 WEEKS | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Tue Sep 24 1996 16:44 | 13 |
| 917.19 | How do they do that? | NPSS::HYLNDR::BADGER | Can DO! | Thu Sep 26 1996 14:23 | 5 |
| 917.20 | NONE OF THE HMO'S COVER THESE PRODUCTS | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Thu Sep 26 1996 17:34 | 21 |
| 917.21 | PROGRESS REPORT | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Thu Oct 03 1996 15:36 | 14 |
| 917.22 | ANOTHER UPDATE | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Mon Oct 28 1996 15:17 | 11 |
| 917.23 | | DSSDEV::PELLAND | | Tue Nov 19 1996 21:19 | 22 |
| 917.24 | Final Update | STOWOA::FRANCOEUR | | Wed Dec 11 1996 18:31 | 15 |
| 917.25 | Update... | BIGQ::BERNIER | | Wed Mar 12 1997 07:50 | 9 |
|
I started the Phen-fen this week. I haven't had any noticable side
effects as of yet except for the dry mouth. I have had a tremendous
loss of appetite. I still get hungry but feel full quickly.
I did the Redux some time ago with limited success. I lost 26 pounds
but managed to gain 15 back while in Europe last month.
|
| 917.26 | list of drugs?? | ADISSW::HAECK | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! | Wed Apr 23 1997 22:14 | 11 |
| I am looking for a list of drugs used for appetite suppressants. Once
I have the names I can search the web for the other information I want.
But when I tried searching for the key-words that I could think of the
pointers were just too many. All of my attempts to narrow down using
yet more key-words didn't help much.
So, does any one know of, or have, such a list?
I will be seeing my doctor early next month and he had mentioned he
might prescribe one if I wasn't having any luck losing weight on my
own. Which I haven't :-(
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