Bariatric Product Guide

Plan B® One-Step okayed by the FDA

Jim Marino — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:26:23 +0000

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ New Drug Application (NDA) for Plan B® One-Step emergency contraception (levonorgestrel tablet, 1.5 mg). With new Plan B® One-Step, women can help prevent an unintended pregnancy resulting from unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with just one pill in one dose. While the FDA has expanded the over-the-counter (OTC) access to Plan B® One-Step to consumers aged 17 or more, younger girls will require a prescription.

Hi-Tech recalls Stamina-Rx supplements

Jim Marino — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:05:57 +0000

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Inc is recalling all lots of its dietary supplement since it contains benzamidenafil, an unapproved drug that may pose health risks. The Stamina-Rx label does not name Benzamidenafil as one of the constituents. Benzamidenafil belongs to the same class of drugs as the active ingredients in the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Study shows even minor weight loss boosts fertility chances in obese women

Jim Marino — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:05:41 +0000

A new study conducted by a group of researchers led by Professor Bill Ledger from the University of Sheffield has suggested that minor weight loss in obese women could boost their chances of getting pregnant. The study was conducted on 40 obese women who were not ovulating, with several of them suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

FDA Seeks Recall Of 25 Weight Loss Pills With Potentially Unsafe Ingredients

Jim Marino — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:26:08 +0000

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States is seeking to recall 23 different products marketed as for weight loss because they contain undeclared active pharmaceutical substances that may pose serious health risks to consumers. The products are marketed over the Internet and in retail stores, and in some cases are described as “dietary supplements”. Some of the tainted weight loss products are Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power, Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet, 3 Day Diet, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

MU Researcher Develops Screening Tool To Identify Patients With Prediabetes

Jim Marino — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:36 +0000

A University of Missouri researcher has created TAG-IT, a clinical tool, to identify those at highest risk for having undetected hyperglycemia, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and undiagnosed diabetes. If these conditions are identified early, patients may benefit from preventative strategies that can minimize progression to diabetes, other diseases and mortality. The Tool to Assess Likelihood of Fasting Glucose Impairment (TAG-IT) is designed to use factors that are self-reported or easily measured. The six factors include: age, sex, BMI, family history, resting heart rate and measured high blood pressure.

Innovative Weight-Loss Surgery

Jim Marino — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:20:26 +0000

Mercy Medical Center has become the first hospital on Long Island to offer a new single-incision Lap-Band(r) (laparoscopic gastric banding) procedure for weight loss surgery. SILS is an important new option that holds the potential of less pain, fewer scars and quicker recovery. Mercy received the 2008 Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award(tm) from HealthGrades(r), the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization, and is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designated the American Society For Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Yale Researchers Discover New Molecule That May Suppress Hunger After Fatty Meals

Jim Marino — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:02:16 +0000

In the battle against obesity, Yale University researchers may have discovered a new weapon - a naturally occurring molecule secreted by the gut that makes rats and mice less hungry after fatty meals. The findings are published in the Nov. 26 issue of the journal Cell. The report suggests the molecule may help regulate how much animals and people eat, according to the team headed by Gerald I. Shulman. The team studied a family of lipids called N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines, or NAPEs, which are synthesized and secreted into the blood by the small intestine after fatty foods are eaten.

Sunwin announces production launch of Rebaudioside A 95

Jim Marino — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc. has announced the production launch of Rebaudioside A 95. It is one of the highest Stevia grades available in the market today. Sunwin’s stevia is an all natural product derived from naturally sweet Stevia plant cultivars. Sunwin’s Reb A 95 is comprised of 99.5% steviol glycosides, the naturally occurring compounds that give stevia its sweetness. Stevia is used worldwide for decades as a sweetening agent and is highly recommended for people suffering from diabetes and obesity. Applications are already pending in front of the US Food and Drug Administration for approval.

Stirling receives patent for its anti-obesity product

Jim Marino — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:56:02 +0000

Stirling Products has received the first approval for its patent application for “Methods of decreasing fat deposits and body weight in mammals and birds” in New Zealand. The patent relates to the use of the company’s R-salbutamol compound. The product has the potential to reduce body weight. CEO and Managing Director of Stirling Products, Dr Calvin London said that he hoped that a series of approvals in other countries would follow. The company has already conducted studies for the compound on obese male Zucker rats.

GSK receives positive opinion for alli from CHMP

Jim Marino — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:31:24 +0000

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has given positive opinion as a non-prescription product to GlaxoSmithKline’s alli (orlistat 60 mg). This takes the product to the stage of proposal for final approval by the European Commission. A marketing authorization will follow that. On the grant of license, alli 60 mg would become the first aid for weight loss to be available without prescription across Europe. It will be indicated for people above the age of 18 with a BMI more than 28 kg/m2.