Two-drug obesity treatment effective

A mix of phentermine and topiramate, sold under the brand name of Topamax, was shown in clinical trials to be twice as effective as orlistat, which is commercialized in some countries as Xenical or Alli, the study says. The drug combo appears to have additional health benefits, including improved markers, or indicators, for blood pressure, sugar levels, lipids and inflammation.

Phentermine is the most widely prescribed short-term weight drug in the US. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant approved for treating seizure disorders and migraines. It has been shown to work well for weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, but—taken alone—it has also been linked to cognitive and psychiatric side effects.

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