Obesity Action Plan

On November 15, 2022, Elon Musk informed the world that he had lost 30lbs. A little later that day after someone asked him how he did it, his reply tweet was, “Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food near me.”

With this X interaction, the world of therapeutic-induced weight loss leaped in the 21st Century.? Arguably one of the most influential and richest men in the world, Elon Musk inferred that humans need additional tools to aid in weight loss beyond just diet and exercise. As CEO of VIVUS, I wish he had been utilizing Qsymia for his weight loss pharmaceutical, yet as someone who cares deeply about treating people with obesity, I was incredibly thankful that he shined a light on the issue that means so much to me and my colleagues.?

Elon’s tweet was still incredibly gratifying and, in many ways, confirming. The team at VIVUS believes the medical condition of overweight and obesity will not be solved with diet and exercise alone. Over 40% of the world cannot meet their ideal weight without some therapeutic help, but we believe that with the right education and proper support, we can assist individuals in living their healthiest life.?

The weight loss struggle is personal and constant for many. While there are endless theories and programs on how best to manage weight loss, at the core there are three key tenets – diet, exercise, and medication. While the assistance of medication in weight loss management has sparked numerous debates over the years, a series of recent developments have brought several effective weight loss medications to the market that offer new options for the treatment and management of obesity. However, there is still much to be learned about selecting the most suitable therapy option for each person.

Patients and their healthcare providers need as many tools as possible to combat excessive weight gain, searching beyond the hype to collectively consider the full range of options before committing to a weight loss strategy. Recently, there has been much attention focused on GLP-1 agonists, commonly used in the treatment of diabetes. Yet, these medications may not be suitable for the full range of people struggling with obesity. Patients and their healthcare providers should collectively consider the physiological factors affecting an individual’s ability to lose weight and maintain that weight loss, as well as the efficacy, safety, ease-of-use, and financial cost of the weight loss medications.

In addition, the benefits of weight loss through medication have been shown to have positive effects on other disease states, such as reducing doses of lipid lowering agents for high cholesterol, CPAP for sleep apnea, blood pressure lowering agents for high blood pressure, and medications for diabetes. There is also evidence supporting the ability of these medications to treat depression and addictive behaviors, which are often attributed to excessive weight gain.

The good news is that with several drugs now available designed to target the body’s hormonal resistance, medications can work by directly attenuating the body’s survival response on a daily basis. For example, Qsymia? (phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules) CIV, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise has been proven to help adults and children ages 12 - 17 lose weight and maintain the loss. The once-daily pill is covered by the majority (81%) of commercial healthcare plans and is indicated for long-term use.

Obesity is one of the most threatening diseases worldwide, and no single pill or injection is the answer. With the right tools and support system, managing and sustaining weight loss can be a transformational journey for patients suffering from obesity. From developing healthy habits, to finding a trusted medication suited to your individual needs, you can take the first step towards a happier and healthier life.

About VIVUS

VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies that focus on advancing treatments for patients with serious unmet medical needs. For more information about the Company, please visit https://www.vivus.com.

About QSYMIA

QSYMIA is a combination of phentermine, a sympathomimetic amine anorectic, and topiramate, indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia. QSYMIA may also be used in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with BMI in the 95th percentile or greater standardized for age and sex.

The effect of QSYMIA on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been established. The safety and effectiveness of QSYMIA in combination with other products intended for weight loss, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established.

For more information on QSYMIA, please visit https://QSYMIA.com/

Important Safety Information for QSYMIA

Do not take QSYMIA if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant during QSYMIA treatment; have glaucoma; have thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism); are taking certain medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken MAOIs in the past 14 days; are allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any of the ingredients in QSYMIA.

Common side effects of QSYMIA in adults include numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or face (paraesthesia), dizziness, changes in the way foods taste or loss of taste (dysgeusia), trouble sleeping (insomnia), constipation, and dry mouth. Common side effects of Qsymia in children aged 12 years and older include depression, dizziness, joint pain, fever, flu, and ankle sprain.

QSYMIA can cause serious side effects, including birth defects (cleft lip/cleft palate), increases in heart rate, visual field defects (independent of elevated intraocular pressure), suicidal thoughts or actions, serious eye problems, and severe rash with blisters and peeling skin. QSYMIA may slow the increase in height in children 12 years and older.