Diet Pills Show Poor Performance, Study (humans, not rats)
 

Looks like modern drugs aren't a substantial aid in weight loss for the
obese.

================ Extracts ===============

.... orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant, reduced weight by less than
5kg (11 pounds)

The Canadian researchers reviewed the evidence from thirty
placebo-controlled trials where [obese] adults took anti-obesity drugs
for a year or longer.

Adverse effects were recorded with all three drugs,...

On average 30 -- 40% of patients failed to complete the trial.

The authors noted that no trials examined rates of death and disease as
a result of taking anti-obesity pills.

============== Press Release Below ==============================

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1116094804.htm

Three Long-term Diet Pills Show Poor Performance, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (Nov. 17, 2007) — Patients taking anti-obesity drugs will
only see "modest" weight loss and many will remain significantly obese
or overweight, according to a study published on the British Medical
Journal website.

The study, which looked at the long-term effectiveness of anti-obesity
medications, found that three drugs recommended for long-term use -
orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant, reduced weight by less than 5kg
(11 pounds). This equated to a loss of less than 5% of total body
weight. Guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence
recommend stopping the use of anti-obesity drugs if 5% of total body
weight is not lost after three months.

While making changes to lifestyle and diet are recommended as the
initial treatment for obesity, the use of anti-obesity drugs is common.
It's estimated that in 2005 global sales of anti-obesity drugs reached
$1.2billion. Current UK guidelines recommend using drug therapy in
addition to making lifestyle changes if a patient has a body mass index
of greater than 30.

The Canadian researchers reviewed the evidence from thirty
placebo-controlled trials where adults took anti-obesity drugs for a
year or longer. The mean weight of the volunteers in all of the trials
was 100kg (15.7 stone). The mean body mass index levels were 35 -- 36.

Professor Raj Padwal and colleagues found orlistat reduced weight by
2.9kg, sibutramine by 4.2kg and rimonabant by 4.7kg. They also found
that patients taking the weight loss pills were significantly more
likely to achieve 5 -- 10% weight loss, compared to those who took the
placebo.

The health benefits associated with taking the drugs varied. For
example, orlistat reduced the incidence of diabetes in one trial and all
three drugs lowered patients' levels of certain types of cholesterol.
Adverse effects were recorded with all three drugs, in particular,
rimonabant increased the risk of mood disorders such as depression or
anxiety. The authors noted that no trials examined rates of death and
disease as a result of taking anti-obesity pills. They recommend that
trials looking at this should be carried out in the future.

The authors also noted that there were high drop-out levels in all the
trials. On average 30 -- 40% of patients failed to complete the trial.
They say this suggests that a failure to properly adhere to the
treatment could be a major factor limiting the effectiveness of
anti-obesity drug therapy.

In an accompanying editorial, Professor Gareth Williams warns of the
potential damage to society if anti-obesity drugs are licensed to be
sold without prescription. This already happens in the United States,
and as Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) has applied to sell orlistat over the
counter throughout Europe, it could happen here. He warns:

"Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth
that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill and could further
undermine the efforts to promote healthy living, which is the only long
term escape from obesity."

Adapted from materials provided by British Medical Journal.
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British Medical Journal (2007, November 17). Three Long-term Diet Pills
Show Poor Performance, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November
18, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com*
/releases/2007/11/071116094804.htm