Long-term data needed on anti-obesity drugs

The long-term safety and efficacy need to be documented for Xenical, Meridia and Acomplia before doctors can be certain that the benefits of these anti-obesity drugs outweigh the risks, according to a commentary appearing in The Lancet.

Xenical (known generically as orlistat) and Meridia (sibutramine) are currently approved for long-term use, while Acomplia (rimonabant) is under review by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Each of the agents carry potentially important adverse effects, the authors note. Treatment with orlistat is associated with frequent gastrointestinal side effects, sibutramine may raise blood pressure and heart rate, and rimonabant may increase the risk of mood disorders.

These adverse effects are typically apparent during short-term use. The greater concern, according to the authors, is what will occur with long-term use.

Steve - hmm. They are NOW worried about the long-term side affects. Should this not have been looked before they were approved years ago? We said this when these drugs first came out.