Contrave®
Contrave is another
hopeful weight loss drug candidate that has also achieved good results from its
clinical testing phases. Contrave's maker is Orexigen Therapeutics out of California
who are also responsible for the development of another anti-obesity drug
named Empatic. Contrave is another mixture of two other drugs. The two drugs
that create Contrave are Naltrexone and Bupropion. These two drugs are used for
different things. Naltrexone is used to help fight addictions, particularly illegal
drugs and alcohol. Bupropion is used to battle depression and also to help
one stop smoking. As far as commonly referred to names, Naltrexone's trademark
names come as Vivitrol® or Revia®. Bupropion's is better known as Wellbutrin®
or Zyban®.
The dosages
that have been used for clinical testing consist of the following: High dose
48mg of Naltrexone and 400mg of Bupropion. Mid dose is 32mg of Naltrexone and
400mg of Bupropion and Low dose is 16mg of Naltrexone and 400mg of Bupropion.
The formula for Naltrexone was IR or immediate where as the Bupropion was SR
or sustained release. As with Qnexa, one should never attempt to simply mix these drugs on their own, the formula releases
most likely would be different and as a result could be very dangerous to
ones health. Bupropion has been reported by some to reduce weight but the combination
of Bupropion and Naltrexone in the special unique formulation has been
proven to far out do any weight loss experienced by Bupropion. The FDA also has
never approved Bupropion for the use of weight loss.
The Contrave diet medication like Qnexa exceeds the FDA requirement for a drug to be considered as an obesity
fighting drug. In clinical tests, Contrave users tended to lose between 9% and
15% of their body mass. Some of the side effects reported have been mild to moderate
cases of headaches, nausea and constipation. This is not meant to be an
exhaustive list of side effects, rather some of the more common experienced ones.
As of March 31st 2010, Contrave was presented to the FDA for possible
approval. If the FDA looks favorably upon it could be approved perhaps 10 months
later. However a small error in their records keeping was found by the FDA shortly
after it was submitted and as a result this could hold back any decision
by a few weeks.
On
December 7th of 2010 the FDA had its panel of doctor's vote on whether they would
recommend that Contrave be approved for use. Their vote was 13 in favor, 7
against. As a result when the FDA deliberates on January 31st 2011 they will strongly
take this vote into consideration. The FDA usually takes the recommendation
outright from their panel but does have the right to decide otherwise.
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