New Weight Loss Wonder Drug?
September 30, 2007 by Claire
Filed under Women's Health
Just when you think they’ve tried everything…
Dr. Nir Barak of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine has developed a weight loss drug based on a betahistine given to patients with vertigo. Apparently, it suppresses appetite and the desire to eat fatty foods. Hurrah!
The results were rather impressive, with those consuming the drug Histalean over 12 weeks losing 7 times the amount of weight as the placebo.
Playing the devil’s advocate- we need to be careful not to see drugs like this as a “cure-all.” Keep in mind that anything you just take during your weight loss will make you rebound after you stop taking it. What are you going to do, spend big bucks on a drug like this for the rest of your life?
The advantage of doing it “on your own” is that you save money and there is nothing you have to depend on during your weight loss but yourself.
However, this drug was without serious side effects in the trials. It could be used in conjunction with medicines such as antipsychotics that cause excess hunger.
There’s no word on when the drug might be released, but I’m guessing it will be at least a couple years.
Claire
“The advantage of doing it “on your own” is that you save money and there is nothing you have to depend on during your weight loss but yourself.”
I totally agree on this, and this was one of the reasons I regained all weight I lost (> 90lbs) 7 years ago. I am now on my own, eat less and exercise more, and so far I am doing great!
Good for you! Best of luck on the rest of your weight loss