Lose 25 Pounds With a New Drug?

on July 23, 2009 at 6:45 AM

contrave weight loss drug advances There's a new weight loss pill on the horizon called Contrave. I just read that this pill got a step further in the clinical trial stage, which means it's that much closer to market.

This one will be prescription; you won't be able to pick it up on sale at Target.

And it's for women with serious weight to lose.

Contrave is a combination of two different drugs already available. One is an antidepressant called Wellbutrin, which is already proven to help people lose weight but more short-term. The other is an anti-addiction drug called naltrexone, used to treat alcoholism and other conditions.

Together, the drugs work on brain signals to stop you from eating so much with better long-term effects.

The combination helps women lose weight over time at the average rate of about 20-25 pounds a year, according to a recent study involving severely overweight women with an average weight of 225 pounds.

This was combined with an intensive weight loss program that included counseling on diet and exercise, so as good as the pill sounds, it's not a magic bullet. Researchers are now trying to figure out how to get the pill to deliver the same stellar results with a much easier diet and exercise regimen.

Would you consider a diet pill or prescription drug to help you lose weight? How far would you go to drop those extra pounds?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: drugs, exercise, weight loss

Comments (5)

marnieblue

on Jul 23, 2009 at 8:29 AM

Whatever. I've tried to get my hands on all these new pills over the years, and the juices, and everything else. None of this stuff is ever the answer. You have to make real behavior changes. Eat smarter. Be aware of calories, don't waste them. You also have to get up and move every now and then. It's not so bad. My trainer recommended an exercise insole that fits into my sneakers and shoes that work to increase circulation. It's similar to the negative heel that's in some of the expensive exercise shoes. They're called SmartSole exercise insoles http://www.cafemom.com/ I wear them everywhere I go and they're really comfortable. I lost 20 pounds by just being more aware every day of how many calories I eat, making better choices and walking more. I saw a discount code MB10 for 10% off on a fitness board.

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aurorabunny

on Jul 23, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Yep, what the pp said. None of this crud is the answer. You've got to do it yourself, the right way.

howardsmom

on Jul 23, 2009 at 9:36 PM

I disagree...Some people do it all the way they are suppose to and its just not coming off fast enough ..sometiems you just need something on stand by giving you a little help along the way

on Jul 24, 2009 at 12:32 AM

Howardsmom people need to just be patient then and keep doing things the health way. Unless someone has a medical problem that needs to be addressed, eating healthy food and exercising is the answer to weight loss.

MakkarMom

on Jul 25, 2009 at 9:24 PM

I think the truest and healthiest way to lose weight is to change your habits and to focus on good health. Healthy living and dieting does not always have to be restricitive.

Doris F. Makkar

www.healthyalternatives4u.weebly.com