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| |  Americans Recognize Being Overweight Is More Than a Cosmetic Issue PHILADELPHIA, May 6, 1997 -- According to a new national survey(A), Americans are beginning to understand a lifestyle message that they've heard but not heeded -- obesity can have serious health consequences. The study, sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst, maker of Redux(TM) (dexfenfluramine hydrochloride capsules) C-IV, shows that 86 percent of those surveyed believe that being more than 20 pounds overweight can impact their health more than their appearance. The respondents also cited high cholesterol (51 percent), followed by high blood pressure (47 percent) and diabetes (39 percent) as specific health conditions that can be affected by excess weight. Seventy percent say they would seek the help of a medical professional if they were obese. "This survey demonstrates there is significant public awareness of the serious medical consequences of being obese disease," said Robert Essner, President, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. "For the first time in 20 years, physicians now have a new tool to help their seriously overweight patients. In the past year, Redux has been prescribed by more than 146,000 physicians in the U.S. to help people to lose weight, thereby helping to improve their health. This proves we are making solid progress in educating physicians and patients that obesity is a treatable." Obesity affects 58 million (one in three) Americans. The number of people with this disease has risen 25 percent in the past 30 years. Obesity is a contributing risk factor for four of the leading seven causes of death in the U.S. (such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes). Redux is the only prescription weight loss medication that has been proven to help patients lose weight and maintain the weight loss. The safety and effectiveness of Redux beyond one year have not been determined. Making a Difference in Patient Health and Lives "The combination of exercise, diet, pharmacotherapy and medical counseling has produced powerful and very compelling physical and emotional results," said Essner. "I dieted for ten years, and the whole time I felt totally out of control," said Ravi Aulakh, Ph.D., a senior U.S. State Department official from McLean, VA. "Now that I am taking Redux as part of a comprehensive weight loss program, I feel in charge. I am confident that I can finally conquer my obesity." "My health was so bad at one point that I couldn't even walk from my car to the door without taking a rest," said Judy Surace, a hospital administrative assistant from Chardon, OH. "Soon after my doctor included Redux as part of my weight loss program, my health and attitude began to improve." Obesity presents serious medical risks. Studies indicate that obese adults aged 20-45 are at nearly four times the risk for developing diabetes and more than five times the risk for developing hypertension than healthy- weight adults. Obese men have significantly greater mortality ratios from cancer of the colon, rectum and prostate and obese women are at greater risk of endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancers. Evidence also shows a relation between increasing weight and the prevalence of osteoarthritis. Redux is For ... "It is important for physicians and consumers to understand Redux is serious medicine for the seriously overweight," said Marc Deitch, M.D., Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director of Wyeth-Ayerst. "The American Society of Bariatric Physicians is absolutely correct in stating that it 'does not believe nor condone indiscriminate physician prescribing of any appetite suppressant for cosmetic weight loss ...' Redux is not for people who are just trying to lose five or ten pounds to fit into their tennis shorts or bathing suit." Not all patients respond the same way to Redux and should be reevaluated by their physician after the first month of treatment to determine success. Side Effects The most commonly reported side effects include diarrhea, dry mouth and somnolence. These side effects were usually mild and disappeared in a few weeks. There is a small risk of developing a serious, potentially life-threatening condition called primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). PPH is not the same as high blood pressure. This risk is estimated to be about 23 to 46 cases per 1,000,000 users per year, with a 5 year survival rate of 55%. Redux should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to dexfenfluramine or related compounds or in patients with diagnosed pulmonary hypertension, nor used concomitantly with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or within 14 days of discontinuation. Redux should not be taken in combination with other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or people under 18 years of age. In animals receiving high doses of dexfenfluramine for short periods of time that resulted in brain concentrations estimated to be more than 10 times those in humans, neurochemical changes were observed. These changes were generally reversed over time but persisted over a year in one study of three animals. Redux is marketed by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a division of American Home Products Corporation, is a research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the area of women's health care, cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines and generic pharmaceuticals.
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