Bad Week for Diet Drugs at FDA

Diet drugs did not fare well in the U.S. regulatory process this week. A panel of experts voted September 16 not to recommend approval of the drug lorcaserin. They said they were concerned about tumors in rats tested with the drugs. The panel provides advice to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is reviewing 3 new diet drugs now. Lorcaserin had been considered the safest one. But FDA scientists questioned that in a report released before the expert panel met. They said lorcaserin produced little weight loss. They also cited side effects. Concerns include possible heart valve damage, depression and other psychiatric problems. The expert panel also voted September 14 on whether to allow an approved drug, Meridia, to stay on the market. The vote was an 8-8 tie.