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US regulators have approved a weight-loss drug called Contrave, the third type of such prescription medication introduced in over 10 years, despite carrying some possible heavy side-effects of its own.
Contrave, which won its official stamp of approval this week from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is being trumpeted as the latest wonder treatment in America's seemingly endless quest to shed weight.
However, the drug is not without possible health risks.
Produced by Orexigen Therapeutic Inc, the weight loss medication is a cocktail of two drugs,
naltrexone, which is used in the treatment of alcohol and narcotic addiction, and
bupropion, an antidepressant, also prescribed to people who want to quit smoking.
The FDA said the drug is approved for treatment of individuals who are considered to be clinically obese.
However, because the pill contains an antidepressant, the FDA said Contrave would carry a warning about the "
risk of suicidal thoughts" when taking the medication. Experts point to the potentially hazardous drug combinations for users who may be taking other pharmaceutical drugs in addition to the new pill.
Contrave, Newest Weight Loss Option: FAQ http://t.co/h4b9ld2PAp
- WebMD (@WebMD) September 11, 2014
"Physicians prescribing these brain medications have to review patients other medications because they're frequently on antidepressants and there's an interaction," Dr. Ronald Tamler of Mount Sinai Hospital's diabetes center told AP.
Comment: Naltrexone is an opiate-blocking drug that can cause mental depression, or other mood and cognitive changes. It also can have an amphetamine effect on the body which will certainly curb your appetite. It's been reported to cause anxiety, restlessness, insomnia
, or it can make you tired.
Bupropion is the generic name for Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin has been shown to cause seizures, hallucinations, hostility, thrill-seeking behavior, unexplained fear and anxiety. It also doesn't work!
- Slap on the wrist: GlaxoSmithKline fined $3bn for laundering drugs they know won't cure you through doctors bought and sold for
- A drug recall that should frighten us all about the FDA
Bupropion is also sold under the name Zyban which has been linked to suicides:
- Suicide Warnings Required for Anti-Smoking Drugs
A better way to lose weight and improve your mood is to
ditch the carbs and increase the fat. Carbs, once metabolized by the body, are essentially sugar and
sugar is what makes you fat.
- Low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet fuels rapid weight loss
What on earth is so wrong with being overweight anyway!? To get a better understanding of the social programming behind the idea, read
Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss--and the Myths and Realities of Dieting
Comment: The US led sanctions war has done nothing but prod Russia to become more aligned with China and other BRICS nations. Western businesses are already suffering, yet the idiot empire marches on with its misguided attempts to weaken Russia.