Qsymia is the brand name of a new weight loss medication that’s been approved by the FDA. Described as a promising treatment for obesity, the medication helps to regulate the brain’s pleasure centers which naturally leads to better food choices and more energy. Let’s delve into how this groundbreaking new medication works and whether or not it’s worth trying.
How Does Qsymia Work?
As mentioned above, Qsymia works by targeting the brain’s pleasure centers which regulate food intake and encourage a healthy lifestyle. The medication accomplishes this goal by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine which naturally raise your spirits and encourage you to take better care of yourself. According to science, these neurotransmitters help to control your appetite, delay food cravings, and boost your energy levels which in turn allows you to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Is Qsymia Effective For Weight Loss?
The results of three separate clinical trials into Qsymia’s effectiveness for weight loss were recently published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.
For one of the trials, researchers enrolled 153 obese participants with type 2 diabetes. After a four-week placebo lead-in period, the participants were randomly assigned to receive either Qsymia at a dose of 25 milligrams or 50 milligrams twice daily or a placebo. Both doses of Qsymia were found to significantly improve participants’ resting metabolic rate, a reliable measure of physical fitness.
The second trial examined the effects of Qsymia on overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes and/or hyperlipidemia. Like the previous trial, the participants were first given a placebo for four weeks and then randomly assigned to receive either Qsymia at a dose of 25 milligrams or 50 milligrams twice daily or a placebo. Those who took the higher dose of Qsymia lost an average of 4.6% of their body weight after eight weeks, while the placebo group had experienced a 0.9% weight loss.
The third trial was similar in design to the first trial but included individuals with type 1 diabetes. After a six-week placebo lead-in period, the participants were then given either Qsymia at a dose of 25 milligrams or 50 milligrams twice daily or a placebo. Those who took the higher dose of Qsymia lost 4.9% of their body weight after 12 weeks, while the placebo group had lost 1.4% of their body weight.
When Might Qsymia Appear On The Market?
While Qsymia is still under development and hasn’t yet been approved for sale in the United States, the FDA has granted it orphan drug status which may help to expedite and/or facilitate its introduction to the market. Orphan drug status provides tax incentives to pharmaceutical companies in the development of drugs for rare diseases or conditions which affect less than 200,000 people in the U.S. If the drug passes all clinical trials and is subsequently approved for sale by the FDA, it could quickly find its way into pharmacies across the country. However, until that time, you may have to seek out a recreational drugstore to purchase it.
Based on the research results described above, it’s pretty clear that Qsymia could be a promising new addition to your weight loss arsenal. If you’re interested in trying it, be sure to consult with your physician first so that he or she can determine whether or not it’s the right drug for you.