FDA wants to sell Rx diet pill OTC

[disneysteve]

Two advisory boards to the FDA have recommended selling the prescription diet pill Xenical over the counter.

Thoughts?

I'm totally opposed to this. I think it just lends credibility to the theory that a solution to obesity lies in a pill, a shake or a bar. Xenical is not without side effects either. It works by blocking the absorption of fat from the diet. This can result in intestinal side effects, diarrhea and oily "leakage." Also, by blocking fat, it also blocks absorption of fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. There can also be serious interactions with some medications like the blood thinner Coumadin and others.

Curious, as always, to hear what others think.

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm not a doctor (and I don't play one on tv! ) but from what I've seen on the news, this isn't going to be a big deal anyway.

If I understand correctly, this stuff is going to have some nasty "side effects" and will only really help with MAYBE losing 2% of total body weight, right?

What are the effects of possible overdose? That you feel even sicker? I think that's enough of a reason for folks not to OD on it and if they aren't losing much weight to begin with, well...I just think it won't be the "magic pill" people are looking for so they won't take it. Does that make sense?

 

[ntburns22]

OK~I am a big girl now. I wasn't always like this.I put my weight on in the past 7 years. I am on WW and follow my points very closely and exercise about 90 minutes a day. My weight loss is almost non exsistent. If I am able to get it OCT I will. Some people but not all need the extra push to help get things moving. I am greatful for any help that I can get.

 

[JVL1018]

Two advisory boards to the FDA have recommended selling the prescription diet pill Xenical over the counter.

Thoughts?

I'm totally opposed to this. I think it just lends credibility to the theory that a solution to obesity lies in a pill, a shake or a bar. Xenical is not without side effects either. It works by blocking the absorption of fat from the diet. This can result in intestinal side effects, diarrhea and oily "leakage."

D-Scusting!!!!! I would never take that..I will stick with the tried and true eat right and exercise even though I hate it and would love to sit around all day and eat chcoolate and chips. LOL

 

[golfgal]

With the past history of a lot of the weight loss medications, this is a little scary. How long has this drug been around? How many comprehensive studies have been done in this drug? I wonder if they are feeling pressured to do this because so many people have weight issues?

 

[wvjules]

Xenecal has been around for a long time.

BTW, you can't eat a lot of fatty foods while on it so in effect you're dieting at the same time as taking the pills.

OH, and I see nothing wrong with it being an OTC medication either.

 

[Chicago526]

OK~I am a big girl now. I wasn't always like this.I put my weight on in the past 7 years. I am on WW and follow my points very closely and exercise about 90 minutes a day. My weight loss is almost non exsistent. If I am able to get it OCT I will. Some people but not all need the extra push to help get things moving. I am greatful for any help that I can get.

Fellow WWer here. Have you tried mixing up your diet? Sometimes when we get into a rut of eating the same foods, our bodies get used to it and refuse to lose weight. Try the "Wendy" method. You eat low points one day and high points the next, then low point again on the 3rd day. It shakes your system up and can often kick-start your weight-loss. For instance, you eat your target points on Monday (lets say 24) then 30 points on Tuesday, then 24 points again on Wednesday, and so on.

Also make sure you're eating most or all of your flex points each week, under-eating can cause you not to lose weight, too (as odd as that sounds!).

Sorry to hijack the thread. Please continue!

 

[cardaway]

There are plenty of OTC with nasty side effects out there. IMO we should get more drugs OTC.

 

[Papa Deuce]

D-Scusting!!!!! I would never take that..I will stick with the tried and true eat right and exercise even though I hate it and would love to sit around all day and eat chcoolate and chips. LOL

Have ya tried the Herr's Chocolate Covered Chips, yet?

I actually tried ONE at a Christmas party and I thought that it was NASTY.

 

[Papa Deuce]

With the past history of a lot of the weight loss medications, this is a little scary. How long has this drug been around? How many comprehensive studies have been done in this drug? I wonder if they are feeling pressured to do this because so many people have weight issues?

At least 5 years.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't have a problem with it.

 

[tiggersmom2]

There are plenty of OTC with nasty side effects out there. IMO we should get more drugs OTC.

ITA

 

[minnie56]

I have taken 'Xenical' and had great success with it. I lost 54 lbs in approx 4 months and the way it worked for me was that I was so 'apprehensive' of the side effects that it forced me to eat right!! Whatever it took, it worked and I would take it again in a New York minute!

Should it be over the counter? Well, even if that happens in the U.S it likely won't here in Canada but it's a very pricey medication and only those seriously overweight will benefit anyway? It will not work if you aren't at least 30lbs over your ideal weight.The only negative I can see is that those that 'think' they are overweight will try this and it may be a waste of their money.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I don't have a problem with it, but what's the point? If you take it, lose the weight, and then stop and go back to the way you ate before, you'll just gain all your weight and more back anyways.

Unless the people using it are going to change the way they eat for good, not just "diet", then it's just going to lead to more yo-yo dieting.

 

[minnie56]

Three plus years for me and I haven't put the weight back on!!! It gave me the fast help I needed to inspire me to keep on doing it! I joined a gym AFTER I lost the weight and have never been healthier in my life!

NOTHING tastes as good as feeling healthy feels!

 

[ericamanda01]

Unless the people using it are going to change the way they eat for good, not just "diet", then it's just going to lead to more yo-yo dieting.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[disneysteve]

Let me add another perspective. Many patients who are overweight or obese also have other medical problems - hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, etc. In many cases, they don't know they have these conditions. Currently, when a patient wants Xenical, they have to come see me. As part of the evaluation, I check their BP and do lab work, often discovering conditions that require treatment, in addition to the need for weight loss.

If patients can bypass the doctor and just buy Xenical OTC, those conditions will remain untreated. That benefits no one.

 

[cardaway]

Let me add another perspective. Many patients who are overweight or obese also have other medical problems - hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, etc. In many cases, they don't know they have these conditions. Currently, when a patient wants Xenical, they have to come see me. As part of the evaluation, I check their BP and do lab work, often discovering conditions that require treatment, in addition to the need for weight loss.

All that is true with countless other OTC medications. If we take off every medication that could be bad for somebody who doesn't read the label warnings all that would be left is aspirin... oh wait, that would be gone too.

 

[hiwaygal]

yes, those conditions could remain untreated...

will the medication make any of those conditions worse? If not, then with or without the meds, those conditions could go untreated anyway...

 

[ntburns22]

Fellow WWer here. Have you tried mixing up your diet? Sometimes when we get into a rut of eating the same foods, our bodies get used to it and refuse to lose weight. Try the "Wendy" method. You eat low points one day and high points the next, then low point again on the 3rd day. It shakes your system up and can often kick-start your weight-loss. For instance, you eat your target points on Monday (lets say 24) then 30 points on Tuesday, then 24 points again on Wednesday, and so on.

Also make sure you're eating most or all of your flex points each week, under-eating can cause you not to lose weight, too (as odd as that sounds!).

Sorry to hijack the thread. Please continue!

Trust me I have tried at all. CORE,Wendy, eatting all my FP and AP's, not eatting them and I never see a loss more then a pound. I know slow is better but when you are severely overweight one would expect bigger losses.

This may help alot of people. I will get this when I can. My doc won't give perscriptions for weight loss, he will just give referrals to clinics. I am looking for a new doc. My blood work is all fine. Being overweight is tough and it is even tougher to lose it. I just wish society wouldn't think that just because you are over weight you sit and eat chips all day. Now I am off to do my Biggest Loser workout and get on my treadmill.