Even if drugs improve endpoints tested for- they may still overall be worse for you
A PILL MAY, AS IN THE CASE BELOW BE PROVEN TO WORK FOR ONE THING.. IN THIS CASE WEIGHT LOSS.. BUT ITS "OTHER" EFFECTS MAY CAUSE WORSE DAMAGE!!
The same goes for STATINs which do lower cholesterol, but may cause muscle damage, skin peeling and red and itchy and more !
Remember.. they don't test these tablets for everything.. so it may be years before any increase in other effects show.. and then only if deaths or near deaths are noticed usually.
e.g. take VIOXX
Tablets that have lesser side effects more stay unrevealed.. like fatigue, poor memory, or "cloudy" thinking.
It's best NOT to be in a new "drug" trial if possible, and to make sure any tablets have been on the market for at least 5 years if possible, if not longer! VIOXX was a bit over 5 years.
Warning - this video is technical and over 1 hr long, but Click here to hear about cox-II inhibitors and aspirin, prostaglandins and NSAID's
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The principal antiobesity drugs have a "modest" effect on weight loss, and their effect on cardiovascular health "remains unknown," according to a BMJ meta-analysis.
Researchers examined 30 double-blind placebo-controlled studies involving orlistat, sibutramine, or rimonabant (a cannabinoid type-1 receptor antagonist not available in the U.S.). The studies all had high attrition rates, averaging over 30%.
The drugs' effects:
Orlistat reduced weight more than placebo by 2.9 kg, but produced gastrointestinal side effects, such as oily spotting and fecal urgency;
Sibutramine provided a 4.2-kg reduction, but raised blood pressure and pulse rate; and
Rimonabant produced a 4.7-kg weight loss, but had a "worrying" incidence of psychiatric disorders.
Commenting on the lack of mortality data offered in the studies, the authors remind us that "drugs that improve surrogate end points, such as weight loss, may not ultimately improve more clinically relevant outcomes."