Sponsored by: Knoll Pharmaceuticals

With the dramatic awareness of the consequences of obesity, a growing amount of research is being devoted to understanding the health and economic consequences of this problem. Obesity is a major health problem of its own, but it also increases the risk of several major diseases. Although the disorders associated with obesity have been extensively studied, little attention has been paid to the fact that obesity is itself a chronic disease.

Obesity has become recognized as a chronic disease, but is also a major contributing factor to coronary heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.. It is also a risk factor for cholesterol related diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

The classical treatment strategies of diet, behavioral modification and exercise have been found to be ineffective and counterproductive for maintaining long-term weight loss. Drugs have been used to try and improve long-term maintenance of weight loss. The aim has generally been to increase satiety, thermogenesis, or both. Studies have shown that certain drug therapies, combined with classical treatment strategies, has improved the long-term maintenance of weight loss. In theory, the right combinations of therapies was the answer to this growing epidemic. Finding the right program that offered long-term, proven results was the challenge.

New research shows that Sibutramine HCl is a potent serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is responsible for the enhancement of satiety and stimulation of thermogenesis, or the burning of calories. Sibutramine appears to be an effective alternative option for obese individuals in whom diet and behavior modifications alone have not achieved the desired outcome. In comparison with other agents, sibutamine has shown similar efficacy over a 12-week period without any associated pulmonary hypertension. Some mild adverse effects commonly associated with it include dry mouth, constipation and insomnia. The Point of Change weight management program from Knoll Pharmaceutical combines Meridia, a sibutramine HCl, with other essential long-term weight loss strategies. Meridia is safe because it's different than other programs. It provides a comprehensive approach to weight loss that helps patients reach a healthy weight from the combination of a variety of areas such as diet, exercise and lifestyle management. The total strategy of this program is to utilize behavioral management that is provided to all patients taking the product. It is so specifically tailored to an individuals personal needs that it offers over 2 million potential versions. This program helps prepare patients to lose and maintain weight loss, establish a series of small goals, be ambitious about their program while keeping expectations reasonable, developing positive attitudes toward healthy eating and enjoyable, regular physical activities as well as making sensible and permanent changes in eating habits. Most patients who respond to Meridia lose roughly a pound per week for the first four weeks of therapy. Maximum weight loss usually is seen around 6 months. It continues to work after that time by reducing the amount of weight regained for long term maintenance of body weight.