May 18, 2001--
Researchers in Salt Lake City are testing a group of brand new drugs that may be extremely effective at fighting obesity.
These new compounds work on metabolism, not the brain, and they appear to have few if any side effects while they peel away the pounds.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates takes a look.
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For more info on clinical trials call:
Pharmacology Research Corp.
(801) 261-8930
Links
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Wade Watts has lost 40 pounds. He's currently participating in a clinical trial to test a new generation of weight loss drugs which operate on a different mechanism than the old Phen-Fen cocktail.
JAMES FERGUSON, M.D. / PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION: "THE NEW COMPOUNDS ARE REALLY LOOKING AT THE HORMONES THAT TURN APPETITE ON AND OFF. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE THINGS WHICH REGULATE MUCH MORE BASICALLY APPETITE AND FAT DEPOSITION."
"BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE JUST A VERY NICE, STEADY, SUSTAINED WEIGHT LOSS."
The drugs again are designed for people who have serious weight problems - those with a body mass index of 30 to 50, or up to twice the normal body weight. In Wade's case, he was at 260 pounds and climbing.
WADE WATTS: "I WAS APPROACHING 300 POUNDS AND I SAID, 'I AM NOT GOING TO GET TO 300 POUNDS. THERE IS NO WAY, NO HOW I AM GOING TO GET TO 300 POUNDS. I HAVE TO GO DOWN.'"
Wade has to inject the new drug, much like a diabetic administers insulin. But if the clinical trials are successful...
"RIGHT NOW THEY ARE BY INJECTION. EVENTUALLY THEY MAY BE BY NASAL SPRAY OR EVEN A PILL."
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "MODERATE DIET AND MODERATE EXERCISE ARE STILL PART OF THE RECIPE, AND ARE REQUIRED AS PART OF THE CLINICAL TRIALS. IN WADE'S CASE, HE CHOOSES TO WALK."
Studies on yet another protein weight loss drug will soon begin.
People who have previously used Phen Fen will not be eligible for these new trials. The pharmaceutical company in this case wants no lingering liability from an old product it had nothing to do with.
It's still too early in the clinical trials to tell, but so far the only side effect is a minor allergic reaction on the skin where the drug is injected.
