Qnexa, developed by Vivus, a California-based company, is a new weight loss drug which also shows great promise as an anti-snoring medication. Qnexa, designed to be taken once daily, is a combination of the weight loss drug phentermine and the anti-epilepsy drug topiramate.

By combining these two drugs, researchers believe they have addressed issues of appetite and satiety, the two main determining factors in obesity. Furthermore, a small trial in the U.S. has shown this drug to have significant effects on snoring and sleep apnea, making it of additional benefit to millions.

The combination of phentermine and topiramate in Qnexa was shown in a phase 3 study result in an average weight loss of 37 pounds over 56 weeks. Side effects were mild, consisting of dry mouth, tingling in the extremities and constipation. The weight loss and safety of Qnexa appear to be greater than with the use of either drug alone.

The use of Qnexa to improve snoring and sleep apnea has also shown great promise, though further study needs to be done. A small, 6-month U.S. trial has shown Qnexa to be effective in reducing snoring by 70 percent in the 45 patients participating. Possibly, this is a result of weight loss, as patients in the trial lost an average of 10 percent of their body weight.

Another possibility is that Qnexa may work to tighten the throat muscles, reducing airway compression. Larger studies are now planned to determine exactly how Qnexa works in this capacity. Vivus, the company which developed Qnexa, hopes to also get it approved for treatment of sleep apnea. As there are currently no drugs approved for this condition, Qnexa could represent a huge breakthrough in this area.

Qnexa, the new drug originally developed by Vivus for the treatment of obesity, is now being explored as a treatment for sleep apnea. Qnexa appears to be both safe and effective in the treatment of both conditions, making it a promising new drug for these conditions, each of which affects millions worldwide. This once-a-day pill could prove to be somewhat of a miracle drug for these many sufferers.