FDA Approves First Drug for Obese Dogs
Posted on: Monday, 15 January 2007, 15:00 CST
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Slentrol (dirlotapide), a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs.
The FDA says the drug, to be dispensed only by veterinarians, reduces appetite and fat absorption to produce weight loss.
This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing, said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Veterinarians are well aware that overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing various health problems, from cardiovascular conditions to diabetes to joint problems.
Veterinarians generally define a dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight as obese. Surveys have found approximately 5 percent of dogs in the United States are obese, and another 20 percent to 30 percent are overweight.
Slentrol is a new chemical entity called a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, which blocks the assembly and release of lipoproteins into the bloodstream. The mechanism for producing weight loss is not completely understood, but seems to result from reduced fat absorption and a satiety signal from lipid-filled cells lining the intestine.
The drug is manufactured by Pfizer Inc.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- Mail Service and Higher Generic Use Helps Keep Spending in Check, Countering Brand Drug Price Inflation and Specialty Medication Growth
- Epix Obesity Drug Promotes Weight Loss
- Pre-Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Helpful
- Survey: Most Favor Birth-Control Coverage
- Merck's Diabetes Drug Spurs Weight Loss
- Vivus Obesity Drug Cut Weight 10 Percent
- Study Shows Why Weight Game is Inevitable
- Slimming Drug Takes Weight and Memory
- Should Ethanol Be Required in Fuel? Point/Counterpoint
- NASA Chief: Debris Recovery Going Well
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds