Obesity drugs not so effective: consumer group
Canadians spend more than $50 million annually on two weight-loss drugs, Meridia and Xenical, yet experts disagree on whether the drugs work.
Meridia and Xenical are the only two drugs approved in the country to treat obesity.
"You feel full more quickly when you're taking (Meridia)," says Sylvia Fullerton who has lost 22 lbs (10 kg) in a year.
Biehn says the side effects were frightening.
"My heart was racing. It was almost like I'd run a marathon but I hadn't done anything," said Biehn in reference to Meridia.
- CBC BIG PICTURE: Obese Nation
An American consumer group is pushing the government there to pull Meridia from the market. Public Citizen says the drug should never have been approved.
"When we filed our petition to ban Meridia, there were already 19 deaths from cardiovascular problems, heart attacks and strokes, and now several more deaths in the United States. This was all known before the drug was approved," says Dr. Sydney Wolfe of Public Citizen.
Abbott, the maker of Meridia, says there's no clear evidence the drug caused those deaths and it's safe if used as directed.
Xenical and Meridia were launched with lots of promise. But the actual weight loss is modest.
Obesity expert Dr. David Lau says any weight loss improves health.
"Losing even five per cent of body weight would lower the blood pressure, improve the blood sugar values and also in more ways than one, improve how the person feels and other health benefits."
The number of obese Canadians is growing. About 15 per cent of the population is considered obese. Several drug companies continue to test new drugs but finding one without side effects is proving to be difficult.
Obesity has now become a disease which society treats with drugs, just as any other illness. But Kim Biehn isn't waiting for a cure.
"I think I'm not going to do the drugs. There is no miracle drug out there that's going to do it."