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Analysis: Most physicians prescribe Qsymia as intended
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Adults assigned the weight-loss drug Qsymia are mostly women and white, with a large percentage also taking medications for diabetes and hypertension, according to study findings presented here.
In a prospective, pharmacoepidemiologic database study, researchers analyzed electronic data of patients prescribed Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate extended-release capsules, Vivus), a weight-loss drug intended for patients with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2, and concluded that the drug is being prescribed as intended.
Craig A. Peterson , MS, director of clinical research at Vivus Pharmaceuticals, and colleagues analyzed data from 166,106 patients using the Qsymia Certified Pharmacy Network (QCPN), a database providing the age and sex of all patients with at least one recorded phentermine/topiramate prescription, and the Humedica electronic health record (EHR), a database that includes age, sex, race, BMI, weight-related comorbidities and concomitant medication use of patients prescribed phentermine/topiramate. Researchers acquired the data between September 2012 and February 2014.
In the Humedica EHR database (n = 5,253), average BMI was 36 kg/m2, average age was 47 years, 80% were women, 80% white and 12% black. In addition, 42% of patients had dyslipidemia, 39% had hypertension and 19% had type 2 diabetes. Within the cohort, 49% were assigned antihypertensive medication, 28% were assigned antidiabetic medications and 23% were assigned antidepressants (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).
Among patients with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m2, 45% had dyslipidemia, 48% had hypertension and 25% had type 2 diabetes.
“These data demonstrate consistencies between patient demographics, weight-related comorbidities and concomitant medication use among real-world patients prescribed [phentermine/topiramate], subjects randomized in the phase 3 CONQUER clinical trial, and the labeled indication,” the researchers wrote. “Over 18 months post-approval by the U.S. FDA, this analysis of database data indicates that medically appropriate individuals are utilizing [phentermine/topiramate] as intended for chronic weight management.” - by Regina Schaffer
Reference :
Peterson C, et al. Abstract 614. Presented at: AACE 24th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress; May 13-17, 2015; Nashville, Tenn.
Disclosure: Peterson reports he is an employee of Vivus Inc.