Weight-loss pill hailed as 'holy grail' in fight against obesity

Image: thetimes.co.uk

A US study has shown new weightloss drug lorcaserin does not increase risk of serious heart problems

A new weight-loss pill has been labelled the potential “holy grail” in the fight against obesity, after a 12,000 person study showed it did not increase the risk of serious heart problems.

Lorcaserin, is the first weight-loss drug to be deemed safe for heart health with long-term use.

Taken twice a day, the drug is supposedly an appetite suppressant which works by stimulating brain chemicals to induce a feeling of fullness.

Those who took the drug shed an average of 4kg in 40-months.

Speaking to The Guardian, Tam Fry of Britain’s National Obesity Forum, said the drug is potentially the “holy grail” of weight-loss medicine.

“I think it is the thing everybody has been looking for,” he said.

“I think there will be several holy grails, but this is a holy grail and one which has been certainly at the back of the mind of a lot of specialists for a long time.

“But all of the other things apply – lifestyle change has got to be root and branch part of this.”

Tests for heart valve damage were done on 3,270 participants, but no significant differences in rates were identified.