Mysimba for weight loss- It is the name for Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion) in Europe. This drug is the newest weight loss drug and had an unusual release of data. What appears to be shown in early data is that it may have a direct effect/benefit in decreasing risk of heart attack.
The combination medicine is approved in the UK by the European Commission for Mysimba™ (naltrexone HCl / bupropion HCl prolonged release) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for the management of weight in adult patients (≥18 years) with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m2 (obese), or ≥ 27 kg/m2 to 2 (overweight) in the presence of one or more weight-related co-morbidities (e.g., type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, or controlled hypertension). This authorization applies to all 28 European Union (EU) member states.
Obesity in Europe is as frightening as it is in the US as one of the most significant public health challenges which is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In Europe, the prevalence of obesity has risen three-fold in the last two decades, and the World Health Organization estimates that over 20% of the adult European population is obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2). Adult obesity and overweight are responsible for up to 6% of health care expenditures in Europe; in addition, they impose indirect costs (due to the loss of lives, productivity and related income) that are at least two times higher.
Mysimba shouldn’t be used (is contraindicated) in people with hypersensitivity to any of its components, uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorder, a known central nervous system tumor, in patients undergoing alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, in patients with a history of bipolar disorder, in patients using other bupropion or naltrexone-containing products, in patients with a current or previous diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa, in patients currently dependent on chronic opioids or opiate agonists, in patients using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken MAOIs in the last 14 days, in patients with severe liver disease, severe or end-stage kidney disease.
More at www.fda.gov.