A major study reveals weight-loss pill ‘Lorcaserin’ can fight against obesity by loosing weight without raising risk for heart problems. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, hailed the new treatment as the “Holy Grail”
Taken twice a day, the drug is an appetite suppressant which works by stimulating brain chemicals to induce a feeling of fullness. A landmark trial found, this slimming pill is three times better than dieting and exercise.
This breakthrough drug directly targets middle-aged spread and keep it off for several years. The drug may also cut the risk of diabetes and encourage wider use to help curb obesity epidemic.
A US study saw 12,000 people who were either obese or overweight given the pills or a placebo – with those who took the drug shedding an average of 4kg (9lbs) in 40 months.
In trials, those who took the pill twice a day shed an average of nine pounds over 12 months and had kept it off two years later
Scientists said the drug was an “important milestone” after decades of failed attempts to develop effective diet medication, in a bid to combat the growing global obesity epidemic.
Harvard researchers said their results, presented at the world’s largest cardiac conference in Munich, show for the first time a drug can cause consistent and sustained weight loss with no such increased risk.
The US study found that the pill is almost twice as effective as Orlistat, the only slimming pill which is currently available on the NHS.
Crucially, lorcaserin was also shown to be safe long-term, which could pave the way for it to be made available in the UK.
British experts said the pill which costs about £220 for a month’s supply, would fill a huge gap in the battle against this country’s spiralling obesity problem.
Professor Jason Halford, an obesity expert at the University of Liverpool, said: “We have a massive gap between lifestyle modification and surgery. There is nothing in between. So this could be widely prescribed if it is approved in the UK.”
> Juthy Saha
New Effective Slimming Pill to Beat Obesity
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