Weight Loss Drug in Phase 3 Trials Compared to Fen-phen Without the Risk of Heart Damage

The hype on a new drug in Phase 3 trials for the treatment of obesity is growing.  Arena Pharmaceuticals is a small company working on several novel compounds including Lorcaserin hydrochloride (aka APD356).  Arena has compared the drug to the old fen-phen combination, without the risk of cardiac valve pathology.  Phase 2 studies found that the drug produced progressive, clinically significant, dose-dependent weight loss over a twelve-week period.

Lorcaserin is a serotonergic agent that is 100-fold selective for the 5-HT_2C receptor over the 5-HT_2B receptor, the latter being associated with heart valve damage in the fen-phen combination.  It is believed that metabolism and satiety are influenced by stimulating 5-HT_2C receptors in the the hypothalamus.

Arena is beginning the second part of Phase 3 trials and expects to enroll a total of 3750 participants in one-year trials that will include persons with valve pathology.

I've run across several stories on Lorcaserin lately.  It's still too early to conclude that this medication will make it to market or that it is everything that the hype suggests, but it is interesting.

Comments

[alisa]

I'm in this study and it's great. I've been on the medication 2 weeks and have lost 7 pounds. I do exercise 5-6 days a week too and follow their guidelines for the diet.