As the obesity rates continue to rise throughout America, so does the use of complex treatments. One of these treatments is commonly known as ‘the diet pill’, and many have been created in order to help overweight and obese people lose the extra pounds. With the power of chemistry on their side, it is easy fall victim to the belief that a simple pill could cure weight loss. To avoid this, numerous tests must be done, which explains why Qnexa, a recent weight loss drug, is still under speculation and awaiting approval.

“Qnexa is very similar to any other diet pill on the market in that it boosts (a person’s) metabolism quickly in order to lose weight,” said Jeanette Andrade,

Graduate Student in ACES.

In addition to its ability to boost metabolism, Qnexa also affects a person’s appetite.

“Qnexa is a medication that has an appetite-suppressant effect in order to reduce hunger,” said Jacqueline King, licensed dietitian.

As this is the standard for most diet pills, whether or not a person is losing fat or water weight is questionable. According to Jeanette, this is problematic because users do not know what components of the pill are working towards the loss of fat mass. Since Qnexa is pharmaceutical based, not all ingredients are herbal. Substances within pills like Qnexa are not well known to potential users, making effectiveness and accuracy of the drug remain ambiguous.

All diet pills have certain components that help reduce food consumption and contribute to fat loss. In terms of the purpose of the drug, Qnexa is no different than any other pill. In their decision, the FDA relies on data, with heavy side effects as one of the compelling factors contributing to drug approval. While all pills aim to help consumers shed pounds, each drug is different in its effects.

In a college setting, gaining weight is an obvious concern for students, and the use of diet pills could be a potential option for some. Regardless of the potential positive outcomes, all diet pills are risky, and according to Andrade, students under the age of 18 should not be taking them. This is because diet pills are easily seen as a ‘quick fix’, and can be overall detrimental to a person’s health.

“Not only Qnexa, but diet pills in general do not teach proper eating or exercise habits, which is why people of young ages tend to abuse them. This prevents people from losing weight naturally,” Andrade said.

The potential risks of abuse and side effects are reasons why the FDA has such high expectations for these types of drugs. Even though Qnexa was compelling to panelists, the FDA will not just take any pill. Thorough examination through studies must be completed in order for the FDA to even consider putting it on the market.

“The FDA has to examine every aspect of the drug. If it’s two things the FDA is looking for, it’s safety and effectiveness,” explained Carroll O’Neill, former Captain in the U.S. Health Service.

The FDA has considered a plethora of diet pills over time, but most have failed to meet the agency’s standards. In the past, Qnexa has been rejected by the FDA for having heightened risks of birth defects and cardiovascular disease. Numerous tests have gone underway since the rejection, giving the makers of the drug Qnexa time for modification, which has made the pill improve.

According to an ABC medical report, obesity now affects one-third of Americans. As a result, ‘the diet pill’ has become a prevalent alternative to surgical treatments. With 13 years of FDA rejections, the approval of Qnexa would not only be a breakthrough in weight loss medicine, but could also provide a pathway to future solutions to the obesity epidemic. The extraordinary claim that a simple pill can melt away excess body fat requires extraordinary evidence, and further testing is needed before pharmaceutical companies can promise that a little pill will change your figure in the mirror.