Lorcaserin - Prescription Diet Pill

     Lorcaserin is a promising weight loss medication already having been submitted to the FDA in Dec 2009 in hopes of having it approved. Some argue that Lorcaserin may not be strong enough to warrant an approval but according the FDA's requirements it appears that Lorcaserin passes the FDA requirements. The FDA set a standard that in order for a drug to even be considered as an obesity fighting drug, it must show that at least 1/3 of the patients in testing must lose at least 5% of their bodyweight, or that at a minimum twice as many patients must reach a 5% weight loss compared to those in the placebo group. Another big positive for Lorcaserin is in the study showing that it shows very little chance of being abused by recreational drug users.
     I suppose what could be a concern to some is whether or not Lorcaserin has gone through enough testing to prove that it is free from inflicting heart value damage. Lorcaserin and Fenfluramine (from the dreaded combination of Fenfluramine and Phentermine Fen-Phen) are structurally similar so that is the concern. Lorcaserin has not shown any of these heart value problems like Fenfluramine but some people perhaps would still be reluctant given some of the old horror stories of Fen-Phen. Another possibility with Lorcaserin is if doctors would consider pairing it up with Phentermine. I have not read any studies on such but medically it appears it could be combined ok.
     Another benefit that Lorcaserin seemingly possesses is fairly low side effects. Studies show that although some side effects such for some such as nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, fatigue to name a few, They appear to be relatively less than the combinations Qnexa and Contrave have. If these stand up under scrutiny it could be the difference in passing it or not. Lately the FDA has had pretty strict measures with obesity drugs, imposing further warnings on sibutramine and not allowing rimonabant in the US. Yet many European countries had only to later pull it off the market. There have also been reports of the FDA investigating more intensively with regards to cardiovascular side effects. Personally speaking, I think Lorcaserin has a good chance in making it past regulators but ultimately my opinion has no bearing on their opinions and we must all wait for the final outcome.