ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Albuquerque weight loss expert Dr. Mark Holland MD predicts that the new diet drug Qnexa will be a big disappointment to doctors, their obese patients and investors. Qnexa made headlines today when it was recommended for approval by an advisory panel to the United States Food and Drug Administration in Washington.

Dr. Holland has prescribed the two drugs contained in Qnexa to patients of his Albuquerque medical weight loss practice and claims that the results are disappointing. "Phentermine and topiramate are old drugs. They both help people lose weight but the combination is a huge disappointment," said Dr. Holland.

Qnexa, developed by Vivus Inc. is a drug that contains a combination of phentermine, a 50 year old weight loss medication and topiramate, a drug originally used for seizures. Vivus has spent thirteen years developing and testing Qnexa and was rebuffed two years ago when the same FDA advisory panel rejected the drug over safety concerns. Since then Vivus has conducted further studies that were considered by the FDA panel in today's recommendation.

"Safety doesn't appear to be the issue" Says Dr. Holland. "The problem is that the combination isn't any more effective than phentermine alone, and worse still, the side effects are really nasty." Dr. Holland says that while the phentermine in Qnexa can produce rapid heart rate and insomnia, the topiramate portion of the drug causes "numbness, tingling in the hands, lips and feet, forgetfulness, drowsiness and foggy thinking".

"Qnexa is a dud." Concludes Dr. Holland

About Mark Holland MD and Holland Clinic

Mark Holland MD is a medical doctor who has practiced bariatric medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over twenty years.  Dr. Holland is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, The Obesity Society, The American Medical Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Holland's personally developed and edited website on weight loss can be found at http://www.hollandclinic.com

Media Contact:

Mark Holland Holland Clinic, (505)232-6818, mjh@hollandclinic.com

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SOURCE Holland Clinic

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