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Qsymia-New Weight Loss Drug for Obesity
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: October 2, 2012
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Vivus Pharmaceuticals announces that Qsymia is now available for weight loss. It is the first available weight loss drug in the last 13 years. The weight loss pill is a combination of 2 existing drugs: phentermine and topiramate. This combination has been shown to be a good tool for weight loss in addition to a plan that includes dietary change, exercise and behavior modification.
At a medical conference a few years ago, a physician discussed the studies behind a new drug in the pipeline for weight loss. As a practicing Bariatricians, we had already been using both drugs with a lot of success individually and therefore starting sometime after that conference, and in the right patient who meets certain qualifications, our office started to use them together. Since that time, we have had much success in the use of phentermine and topiramate both individually and together in the right patient.
Basically, the studies show that those taking the combo drug lost 11% more weight (up to 14.7%) over a year versus 1.8% loss in those that took the placebo. 70% of the persons taking the drug lost at least 5% of their body weight. When confronted with excess weight, the use of medications is an option that, when used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program, is a valuable tool. When prescribing these medicines, we always follow the guidelines established by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA).
Weight loss medications such as phentermine and others have been in common use since the late 1950s. Unfortunately back in the ’50s, it was believed that overweight and obesity were due to a lack of discipline and if someone were able to lose weight, they would easily be able to keep it off. Unfortunately, this is just not true. In order to successfully lose and keep off your weight you have to change a number of factors in your life including your diet, exercise and stress on your body (primarily the quantity of sleep that we get). Thus when these medicines were first studied in the 1950s, they were only studied over 12 weeks with the false belief that if you were able to lose the weight, it would stay off with no further effort.
There are a several guidelines applied when using weight controlling medications. Scottsdale Weight Loss Center physicians have been specially trained to know which drugs to use, how to use them and more importantly, when to use them. Most of the guidelines start with your initial BMI and body fat percent along with your medical history and other medicines that you may already be taking. Weight loss drugs make it easier to stick to a lower calorie diet. Discuss the use of a weight loss drug with us to see if this one that is right for you. Once prescribed, you’ll still be advised to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to encourage weight loss. The doctors at Scottsdale Weight Loss Center have your best interest in mind, should you have questions regarding weight loss medications please do not hesitate to ask.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
Reviews
Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
