New Obesity Drug
June 30, 2006
A new international study has shown that 70% of Irish
men and 54% of Irish women studied were considered overweight,
while one quarter of Irish men and one--fifth of Irish
women could be classified as clinically obese.
The IDEA study, a 63 country project including Ireland,
coincides with the approval of a new anti-obesity drug,
Acomplia, in the EU, which is due to be introduced in
Ireland shortly. The Irish data in the study confirmed
that there is a strong association between waist circumference
and developing cardiovascular disease; men in the study
with cardiovascular disease had a high body mass index
and waist circumference. Consultant cardiologist at
Tallaght Hospital Dr Vincent Maher said the study demonstrates
the importance of measuring waist circumference as an
indicator of cardiometabolic risk
Trials have shown that the drug can reduce body weight
by 10%. Acomplia works by targeting body mechanisms
that control appetite, metabolism, weight and energy
use. Dr Maher said that before Acomplia there was no
medication that addressed the multiple cardiometabolic
risk factors that put patients at risk for cardiovascular
disease and type 2 diabetes.
Acomplia works by decreasing overactivity of the endocannabinoid
system, which helps regulate appetite.
Sorce: http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=9801
|
