FDA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

And Over-the-counter Weight Loss Medications

Obesity is one of the most serious epidemics facing the American public. "Over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese" (Overweight and obesity statistics, 2012, WIN). To address concerns about obesity, many adults turn to over-the-counter medications like dietary supplements that promise the user easy weight loss. The medications usually claim to increase metabolism and suppress appetite, while some also claim to inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates and calories. According to a recent study: "an estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%)" (Blanck et al. 2007). The FDA has tried to prevent the use of weight loss supplements with tainted...
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