Posted by FDA Approves the First Drug for Obese Dogs
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is announcing the approval of Slentrol (dirlotapide), a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs. Slentrol reduces appetite and fat absorption to produce weight loss. A veterinarian will determine whether the dog should be treated, based on the dog’s weight and general health.
Veterinarians generally define a dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight as obese. Surveys have found that approximately 5 percent of dogs in the United States are obese, and another 20-30 percent are overweight.
“This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing,” said Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Veterinarians are well aware that overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing various health problems, from cardiovascular conditions to diabetes to joint problems.”
Slentrol is a new chemical entity, called a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, which blocks the assembly and release of lipoproteins into the bloodstream. The mechanism for producing weight loss is not completely understood, but seems to result from reduced fat absorption and a satiety signal from lipid-filled cells lining the intestine.
The drug is given to the dog in varying amounts over the course of the treatment. The dog is given an initial dose for the first 14 days. After that, the veterinarian will assess the dog’s progress at monthly intervals, adjusting the dose depending on the dog’s weight loss. After the dog has achieved the goal weight, the drug’s manufacturer recommends continued use of the drug during a three-month period, while the veterinarian and dog owner establish the optimal level of food intake and physical activity needed to maintain the dog’s weight.
Adverse reactions associated with treatment with Slentrol include vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite.
To discourage human use, the label of Slentrol includes the standard warning, “Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children,” and cites adverse reactions associated with human use, including abdominal distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Slentrol is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y.
For more information on Slentrol, please see www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/2006-141-260-fois001.pdf and www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E6-22542.htm .
Another blog makes fun of Slentrol at http://sayist.blogspot.com
Here are the first couple paragraphs:
After plastic surgery, diet pills and morticians ensured that we would stay beautiful long after the daisies we pushed up would die, we have finally hit the next level in vanity. We now have Slentrol, a diet pill for our dogs.
It’s about time. What’s the point of us humans staying artificially skinny if we have to go exercise with our dog anyway? Now our plus-sized pups can plop down next to us on the couch and lick up the leftover ice cream melted in the bottom of the bowl, and still wake up the next morning weighing less than the day before.
Never again will a bitch spend the night howling about her big thighs.
Enjoy! Mike
I think that this is really sad to see a dog like that, look like that. I hope it gets better!
cute but unhealthy. probably won’t live long.
what’s a dog like that supposed to do? just lay around and eat and get fatter. I know it’s well loved but can’t be happy. must be miserable to be that huge!
wat da hell!!! that what you get for ove-feeding the dam thing!