MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
Dec. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- When it comes to New Year's
weight loss resolutions and chronic weight management, the best
laid plans don't always yield success. A new national online survey
among obese or overweight American adultsi shows that
over-the-counter (OTC) products and plans are a big part of the
problem, and that it is very difficult for people to change their
lifestyles.
Adults who are obese or overweightii who made
New Year's resolutionsiii
to lose weight reported making an average of eight attempts, and an
average of six were unsuccessful. Those who spent money on an OTC
planiv reported paying an average of $650 for such remedies.
There is, however, some good news for people making weight loss
and longer term weight management resolutions this year: 40 percent
of those who made a New Year's
resolution to lose weight,v had at least one successful
weight loss attempt, and used prescription medication were able to
keep the weight off.vi
"People want to commit to healthier lifestyles at the New Year,
but they often get trapped in a regular cycle of diet failure,"
said Scott Kahan, M.D., M.P.H.,
director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness. "Patients
who continuously struggle with weight and who have had repeated
unsuccessful weight loss attempts should talk to a doctor about a
reasonable and comprehensive plan that combines effective
modalities, such as prescription medication, with positive
lifestyle changes."
Fortunately, people don't have to go it alone. The new Smart
ChangesTM Program sponsored by Vivus, Inc. (NASDAQ:
VVUS) is the first weight loss plan to combine a 14-day, free-trial
offer of Qsymia® (phentermine and topiramate
extended-release) capsules CIV, an FDA-approved medication for the
treatment of obesity, with a Vivus-sponsored, free, three-month
subscription to The Mayo Clinic Diet.
"The Smart Changes Program is designed to help people get the
most out of their efforts," said Dr. Kahan. "FDA-approved Qsymia
has been formulated both to reduce hunger and help you feel full,
and The Mayo Clinic Diet's clinically-tested techniques can help
you build behavioral changes for lasting success."
About the Survey
Survey results indicate that a comprehensive weight loss
approach like the Smart Changes Program may fill an unmet need for
obese and overweight people who unsuccessfully relied on OTC plans
and who had difficulty making lifestyle changes for past
New Year's weight loss attempts.
Among obese and overweight resolution-making adults, some of the
most common reasons for failure were:
- Trouble following through on the plan (36 percent)
- Knowing what food choices to make but struggling to make
healthier choices (33 percent)
- Feeling hungry all the time (28 percent)
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of
Vivus from November 6-10, 2015 among
759 obese or overweight adults with a comorbidity, ages 18 and
older, among whom 403 have ever made a New
Year's resolution to lose weight or weight loss effort
starting in January. This online survey is not based on a
probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated.
About Smart Changes Program
Designed to help you make the most of your commitment to weight
loss and longer term weight management, the Smart Changes Program
combines positive lifestyle changes with a prescription medication
proven to help you lose significant weight. It includes:
- A free 14-day trial of Qsymia® (phentermine and
topiramate extended-release) capsules CIV, an FDA-approved
medication for the treatment of obesity
- A free, limited, 3-month subscription to The Mayo Clinic Diet,
including a daily meal planner, portion control guides, weight and
habit trackers, food and fitness journal, more than 100 delicious
recipes, and workout options.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is not a one-size-fits-all approach to
weight loss. The Mayo Clinic has helped thousands of people across
the country lose weight.
This limited free-trial offer does not represent an actual or
implied endorsement of Qsymia by Mayo Clinic or The Mayo Clinic
Diet. Mayo Clinic has authorized VIVUS to distribute The Mayo
Clinic Diet. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any non-Mayo products or
services.
About Qsymia
Qsymia is approved in the U.S. and is indicated as an adjunct to
a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic
weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI)
of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or
greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related
medical condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or
high cholesterol.
The effect of Qsymia on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
has not been established. The safety and effectiveness of Qsymia in
combination with other products intended for weight loss, including
prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations,
have not been established.
Important Safety Information
Qsymia® (phentermine and topiramate extended-release)
capsules CIV is contraindicated in pregnancy; in patients with
glaucoma; in hyperthyroidism; in patients receiving treatment or
within 14 days following treatment with monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs); or in patients with hypersensitivity to
sympathomimetic amines, topiramate, or any of the inactive
ingredients in Qsymia.
Qsymia can cause fetal harm. Females of reproductive potential
should have a negative pregnancy test before treatment and monthly
thereafter and use effective contraception consistently during
Qsymia therapy. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking Qsymia,
treatment should be discontinued immediately, and the patient
should be informed of the potential hazard to the fetus.
The most commonly observed side effects in controlled clinical
studies, 5% or greater and at least 1.5 times placebo, include
paraesthesia, dizziness, dysgeusia, insomnia, constipation, and dry
mouth.
About VIVUS
VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company commercializing and
developing innovative, next-generation therapies to address unmet
needs in obesity and sexual health. For more information about the
company, please visit www.vivus.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan,"
"potential," "predict," "opportunity" and "should," among others.
There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements. VIVUS does not undertake an obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements. Investors should read the
risk factors set forth in VIVUS's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014 as filed on
February 25, 2015 and as amended by
the Form 10-K/A filed on April 30,
2015, and periodic reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Media Relations:
Erin Guthrie
eguthrie@golin.com
(212) 373-6052
i Classified as obese (BMI 30+) or
overweight (BMI 27-29.9 and at least one comorbidity:
hypertension/Type II diabetes/heart disease/sleep apnea/glucose
intolerance/high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high
triglycerides)
|
ii Classified as obese (BMI 30+) or
overweight (BMI 27-29.9 and at least one comorbidity:
hypertension/Type II diabetes/heart disease/sleep apnea/glucose
intolerance/high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high
triglycerides)
|
iii Or a weight loss effort starting
in January
|
iv OTC plan includes: popular diets,
pre-packaged meals/ bars/shakes, OTC pills, vitamins/natural
supplements, online or in person organized programs, changing diet
and exercise habits on own
|
v Or
a weight loss effort starting in January
|
vi Please note: base size for those
who ever made a New Year's resolution to lose weight or weight loss
effort starting in January and had at least one successful attempt
and ever tried prescription medications is less than 50, results
should be used as directional only.
|
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-take-on-new-years-and-chronic-weight-management-smart-changes-program-combines-positive-lifestyle-changes-with-prescription-medication-for-weight-loss-300190348.html
SOURCE VIVUS, Inc.