The drug Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) will be used to control excessive weight in the many people who are excessively overweight (obese) in the United States.
As stated by the FDA, it is to be used as "an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management".
The FDA press release FDA approves weight-loss drug Qsymia states, "The drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia)."
BMI (body mass index) measures body fat based on an individual’s weight and height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of U.S. adults are obese (or excessively overweight).
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Janet Woodcock is the director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. She states, “Obesity threatens the overall well being of patients and is a major public health concern. Qsymia, used responsibly in combination with a healthy lifestyle that includes a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, provides another treatment option for chronic weight management in Americans who are obese or are overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbid condition.”
The FDA further states that "Qsymia is a combination of two FDA-approved drugs, phentermine and topiramate, in an extended-release formulation. Phentermine is indicated for short-term weight loss in overweight or obese adults who are exercising and eating a reduced calorie diet. Topiramate is indicated to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy and to prevent migraine headaches."
Page two concludes with two warnings of groups of people who must not take Qsymia.
