Health & Medicine
Will Contrave's Cardiovascular Risks Wear Thin on FDA's Decision?
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Jun 10, 2014 12:21 PM EDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may finally approve the hot new diet pill Contrave, currently renamed NB32. The health organization is expected to make a decision Wednesday, according to analysts.
In 2011, Orexigen Therapeutics' received the thumbs-down from the FDA regarding certain safety issues pertaining to cardiovascular health. In order to resubmit an application for FDA review and approval, Orexigen conducted a multi-year study to examine research that Contrave could be safe for patients' cardiovascular health. At this point, the ongoing study as summarized by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, shows that the drug is safe or "safe enough."
Study findings showed that 53 percent of those on the weight loss pill were able to lose about five percent of their body weight, while only 21 percent of those in the placebo group lost at least five percent of their body weight.
Contrave also contains vivus' Osymia and Arena's Belvig, dissimilar to other popular diet pills, which helps patients tolerate the medications for longer periods and could be a better option for many looking to lose weight. This ingredient is a mixture of naltrexone and bupropion.
"Bupropion, we believe, is what makes for greater persistence [of patients taking Contrave]," said Piper Jaffray's Duncan, according to CNBC. "Being an antidepressant, it can help you feel good."
Of course, those looking to test out the drug, if approved, should not undermine its potential side effects. Use of Contrave could increase the risk of cardiovascular issues as well as effects with mood and other health concerns.
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First Posted: Jun 10, 2014 12:21 PM EDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may finally approve the hot new diet pill Contrave, currently renamed NB32. The health organization is expected to make a decision Wednesday, according to analysts.
In 2011, Orexigen Therapeutics' received the thumbs-down from the FDA regarding certain safety issues pertaining to cardiovascular health. In order to resubmit an application for FDA review and approval, Orexigen conducted a multi-year study to examine research that Contrave could be safe for patients' cardiovascular health. At this point, the ongoing study as summarized by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, shows that the drug is safe or "safe enough."
Study findings showed that 53 percent of those on the weight loss pill were able to lose about five percent of their body weight, while only 21 percent of those in the placebo group lost at least five percent of their body weight.
Contrave also contains vivus' Osymia and Arena's Belvig, dissimilar to other popular diet pills, which helps patients tolerate the medications for longer periods and could be a better option for many looking to lose weight. This ingredient is a mixture of naltrexone and bupropion.
"Bupropion, we believe, is what makes for greater persistence [of patients taking Contrave]," said Piper Jaffray's Duncan, according to CNBC. "Being an antidepressant, it can help you feel good."
Of course, those looking to test out the drug, if approved, should not undermine its potential side effects. Use of Contrave could increase the risk of cardiovascular issues as well as effects with mood and other health concerns.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone