FDA approves new weight loss pill

On Wednesday, the FDA approved a new weight-loss pill.
The pill--called Contrave-- made by Orexigen Therapeutics Inc., San Diego, and will be marketed by Takeda Pharmaceutical of Japan.
It joins two pills already on the market to help adults fight their weight, Qsymia and Belviq.
In a press release, the FDA said Contrave is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater. They must also have at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
The FDA's Jean-Marc Guettier also said, "When used as directed in combination with a healthy lifestyle that includes a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, Contrave provides another treatment option for chronic weight management for people who are obese or are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition."
Contrave is a combination of two drugs--already approved by the FDA--naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone is approved to treat alcohol and opioid dependence. Bupropion is approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder and as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.