For the first time in 13 years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new diet drug.
The pill, which will be sold under the name Belviq, is designed to help obese and overweight adults who have at least one medical condition, like diabetes. The drug works by blocking a specific receptor in the brain, which makes users feel full after eating small amounts of food.
Studies have shown the drug helped people lose about 3% of their body weight when combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
A study released by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office says 59% of adults in Central New York are considered overweight or obese.
Some healthcare professionals in Central New York say the new pill could be an additional tool that can be used to help people with weight loss.
"I definitely think we need some other treatment modalities because there is a gap between diet and exercise and surgery," says Evelyn Mariani, a registered dietitian at the William A. Graber Weight Loss Surgery clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital.
However, Mariani says people should make sure they give healthy diet and exercise a fair chance to help before they consider taking pills.
The FDA has been hesitant to approve a new diet drug because in 1997, it was forced to pull the popular appetite suppressant Fen Phen because it caused severe heart valve problems.
The manufacturers of Belviq will be required to continue studies to determine if the drug increases a person's risk for stroke or heart attack.
Would you consider taking Belviq to lose weight? Do you think the FDA was right to approve it? Post your comments below!
Information from NBC News was used in this report.
