Air Date: Thursday, June 29, 2006
Fat pill
For people battling obesity there is a new weapon against those dreaded pounds. It's a pill that curbs your appetite.
Obesity is a problem 60 million people in the U.S. struggle with.
"People talk about obesity as an epidemic, we've more than doubled in the last 20 years the number of people with obesity, and kids we've more than tripled," Dr. Lee M. Kaplan, the Director of the Massachusetts General Weight Center said.
But the solution for battling the bulge could be found in a pill. It's called Acomplia. And it's supposed to help obese people lose ten percent of their body weight, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease.
"It's like the anti-munchies, that's what this drug does," Dr. Kaplan said.
The drug works by blocking the part of the brain that triggers food cravings and it targets the fat around your waist. Dr. Kaplan says Acomplia is for people with moderate to severe obesity. But warns when trying to lose weight, pills alone will not be enough.
"The drug will have some effect but it won't be dramatic...typically lose 10 to 15 pounds," Dr. Kaplan said.
He says a bigger factor in losing weight is making lifestyle changes.
"The most important thing is that it should be used in conjunction with lifestyle modification, improved exercise, healthier eating, regular eating and moderate portions," Dr. Kaplan said.
Right now Acomplia is only available in Great Britain. Dr. Kaplan says if the FDA approves Acomplia it could be available in the U.S. next year.
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