"Two existing drugs in combination have shown significant promise in promoting weight loss according to a new report. The drugs  phentermine and Topamax in combination with lifestyle and weightloss counseling were associated with a  pound weight loss in trial participants compared with a threepound weight loss in patients who received counseling alone.  The drug also appears to have reduced other obesityrelated indicators such as blood pressure cholesterol and inflammation levels. By comparison the only approved longterm prescription weight loss medication available on the market today Xenical is associated with a sevenpound weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. The study was funded by the pharmaceutical company Vivus which combined the two drugs into one pill called Qnexa http and petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval in October . The Food and Drug Administration denied the request asking for more safety data from the company before moving forward. According to the report there were specific concerns about each drugs safety individually specifically Topamax which is reported to cause some psychiatric and cognitive side effects and may cause clef palate birth defects if taken while pregnant. According to the manufacturers study the two drugs when taken together and at controlledrelease doses were very safe. Participants in the trial reported minor side effects such as dry mouth and constipation however at higher doses some participants did complain about some psychiatric side effects. Among the  study participants nine became pregnant and none of their children were born with cleft palates the report said. The drug could be a good option for some people but its most likely not a silver bullet said Dr. Melina Jampolis  CNNHealths physician nutrition expert who is not connected with the study. This might be a good tool in the short term to get someone motivated and thats great she said. But unless its paired with aggressive lifestyle changes it may not be great in the long term. Phentermine is commonly used as a shortterm weight loss treatment and was previously paired with fenfluramine to make the successful but nowdiscontinued weight loss drug Fenphen. Fenphen was removed from the market in  amid concerns about the drugs heart risk but phentermine has been used successfully for shortterm appetite suppression since then with no major safety concerns. Topamax is commonly used to treat migraines and seizures."