Federal health advisers will scrutinize Vivus’s highly anticipated weight loss drug. Vivus has asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve its experimental drug Qnexa for patients with obesity. A panel of FDA advisers will vote on the safety and effectiveness of Vivus’ drug coming Thursday.

The potential market for an anti-obesity drug estimates into billions. But most prior therapies have been plagued by lackluster results and serious side effects.

Avianda, a previous obesity drug marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, is also under discussion since studies suggested ties to heart attacks.

Qnexa showed weight loss results in clinical trials, with patients losing between 13 percent and 15 percent of their body weight. But the drug also had an high rate of patient dropouts due to side effects, which include memory and concentration problems.

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Filed under: Weight Loss • Weight Loss Drugs

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