Anyone who was excited about the FDA panel recommending approval for the Topamax-based weight loss drug Qnexa may be singing another tune now that it has been announced that the drug may cause problems with the nervous system.
Qnexa is composed primarily of a combination of Topamax and Phentermine and it was recently announced that the FDA panel is recommending that the drug combo be approved for sale in the U.S.
“My concern is with the Topamax component of it,” Dr. Russell Blaylock tells Newsmax Health. “Topamax can lead to suicidal tendencies, depression, irritability and impulsive thoughts.”
Topamax has also been linked to birth defects in babies exposed to the drug in-utero. Of course, Phentermine is another drug that used to be used in the now-banned weight loss pills, fen-phen. Fen-phen was banned after it was discovered that patients were developing heart problems in 1997. Blaylock is claiming that the makers of Qnexa, Vivus, didn’t actually test the Qnexa pills’ effects on the heart.
“They are planning on doing that post-marketing — meaning after millions of people are taking it. Well, that’s how we got into the fen-phen mess,” Blaylock adds.
While Blaylock is not the biggest fan of the FDA approval, he is not at all surprised that the FDA panel recommended it for approval.
“Their priorities are in the wrong place,” he says. “It’s a revolving door with these giant pharmaceutical companies who are pumping the money into the people who are making these FDA decisions.”
Studies have shown that Topamax taken during pregnancy can cause babies to be born with serious birth defects, including PPHN, cleft palate, neural tube defects and heart, lung and brain defects. If your baby was born with birth defects after being exposed to Topamax, contact Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to get you compensated for your baby’s injuries.