The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new anti-obesity medication. It's the first prescription drug for long term weight loss to enter the U.S. market in more than a decade.
The U.S. Obesity rates for adults have reached 35 percent. The New drug called Belviq showed modest weight loss among thousands of patients in recent studies. It's side effects included memory loss, depression, and migraines. But it did not have the digestive issues seen with Xenical the other long term weight loss pill on the market. It was not linked to heart trouble like Fen-phen which was pulled in 1997.
People we talked to had mixed reaction. Sherry Bar hart says "I don't believe in obesity pills.", while her husband Jim says "I need to eat better and exercise better." But Jean Priddy said she would try it and she's not worried about the side effects .
According to researchers Belviq works by activating a receptor in the brain that helps you eat less and feel full. It's for adults with a Body Mass Index greater than 30, or those with a B-M-I of 27 but with a medical condition like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol.
Dr. Mike Cirigliano is skeptical.
"You don't really know a drugs potential for side effects and even benefits until its been used by hundreds of thousands of people," said Cirigliano.
Dr. Cirigliano would not give it to his patients and insteads recommends a lifestyle change of exercise and a good diet for long term weight loss and good health.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:37 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:37:35 GMT
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:02 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:02:25 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:43:10 GMT
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:31:19 GMT
AP Image
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:23:02 GMT
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:03:40 GMT
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:35:48 GMT
To the everyday on-looker, Lacey Barchart is just your average young girl.She likes playing with her stuffed animals and her friends. But, she sees the world just a bit differently than one might guess.
Brave little Lacey lives a normal life, but there is more to her than what meets the eye.
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