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Slentrol (dirlotapide)... the First Drug for Obese Dogs

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FDA Approves First Medication To Combat Canine Obesity

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/60308.php
07 Jan 2007

Pfizer Animal Health announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Slentrol(TM) (dirlotapide) for the safe and effective management of canine obesity, making it the first and only veterinary-approved obesity drug for dogs in the United States.

Slentrol marks a significant milestone in the treatment of canine obesity, an important medical condition with serious health implications. In the United States, about 40 percent of dogs - around 17 million - are considered overweight (5 percent to 20 percent over ideal weight) or obese (20 percent or more over ideal weight), according to 2002 data from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"Why are 40 percent of dogs in the U.S. overweight or obese? The answer is simple: Too much food and too little exercise," said Claudia A. Kirk, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Nutrition, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee. "In today's hectic world, it's a challenge for many dog owners to find time to ensure their pets get adequate exercise. And in our culture, we often equate food with love - without being aware of potential adverse health consequences. For both pet owners and veterinarians trying to manage a dog's weight, these habits can be a source of genuine frustration."

Slentrol has the potential to revolutionize the approach to weight management in obese dogs by giving veterinarians an additional tool when diet modification and increased exercise are difficult to implement successfully. Slentrol decreases a dog's appetite thereby reducing food intake, making it easier for owners to develop healthier feeding behaviors and attitudes. Slentrol is given once daily as an oral solution, either directly into the mouth or with a small amount of food; the duration of treatment depends on the amount of weight to be lost. A prescription medication, Slentrol will be available only through veterinarians starting this spring. Until then, Pfizer is working to increase awareness of the importance and consequences of obesity in dogs.

Obesity and Its Associated Medical Problems
Research shows that being overweight affects the overall health and well- being of dogs by predisposing them to or exacerbating other potentially serious diseases. Being overweight or obese has been associated with increased risk of serious diseases in dogs such as arthritis, heart disease, respiratory conditions and cancer. Obesity can also worsen the signs associated with pre- existing diseases such as osteoarthritis. In addition, obesity can affect a dog's quality of life by making exercise and play more difficult or even impossible.

Recognition of obesity in the family dog is sometimes difficult, and often owners may think their companion is large boned, has a thick coat or looks best when plump. In addition, weight loss can be difficult for many owners to achieve in their dogs. Diet and exercise - the traditional approaches to weight loss - can be effective if followed. However, many dog owners experience frustration with these measures because of lack of time to exercise their dogs, and difficulty restricting food and treats.

"Obesity is an important medical condition, and research shows that it can be associated with a host of serious health problems including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and respiratory conditions," said George Fennell, Vice President, US Companion Animal, Pfizer Animal Health. "Pfizer Animal Health is committed to working with veterinarians to provide additional tools for weight management in dogs and to helping dogs live healthier, more active lives."

Slentrol: Meets Unmet Medical Needs
Pfizer developed Slentrol in response to the unmet need for a medication to help veterinarians and pet owners dependably manage canine obesity in a comprehensive program that includes healthy diet and appropriate exercise. Pfizer veterinary medical scientists have spent more than five years conducting the studies leading to the approval of Slentrol. In clinical trials, Slentrol was shown to be safe, effective, and dependable, producing consistent results in a wide range of dog breeds.

Slentrol should not be used in cats, dogs receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy or dogs with liver disease. While Slentrol is well- tolerated, the most common side effect is vomiting, and dogs may experience diarrhea, lethargy or anorexia. Dog owners will be advised to call their veterinarian if side effects last for two days. Slentrol is not for use in humans under any circumstances.

"Veterinarians will now have the additional option of using Slentrol in conjunction with diet and exercise," said S. Kristina Wahlstrom, VMD, MS, Pfizer Animal Health. "Because many dog owners don't recognize that their pets are overweight or obese, the best thing for owners to do is talk to their veterinarians about the proper weight for their particular dog."

With 2005 sales of $2.2 billion, Pfizer Animal Health is a global leader in discovering, developing and marketing medicines and vaccines for companion animals and livestock, including beef and dairy cattle and swine.
Pfizer Animal Health
http://www.pfizerah.com/slentrol

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Lose puppy fat with slimming pill

Jan 17 2008 by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

MERSEYSIDE’S fat pets will now be able to lose weight with the help of a new slimming pill.

Scientists have developed a new drug that will help overweight dogs slim down and live longer.

Vets reckon up to 40% of the nation’s nine million dogs are grossly overweight – compared with 10% in the 1960s and 70s.

Man's best friend has piled on the pounds through a combination of over-eating and lack of exercise.

The new drug Sentrol is given in liquid form and works by altering the way the body handles fat so the dog feels full earlier and does not beg for extra food.

The drug has been developed for dogs and cannot be taken by other animals or humans.

Liverpool was the first place in Europe to set up a weight management clinic for fat pets.

Dr Alex German, who runs the clinic at University of Liverpool, said: “The new drug means that vets now have an extra tool that can help owners to follow a weight loss plan more successfully."

Weight loss will reduce the risk of heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes and osteoarthritis.
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FDA Approves the First Drug for Obese Dogs

The FDA  announced the approval of Slentrol  (dirlotapide), a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs.   Slentrol is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., New York, NY. Below is the FDA New  Release and web sites for additional information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P07-01
January 5, 2007 		Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA
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.

"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."

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.

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.

 
Ask your veterinarian about this new medication for dogs that may be an important part of a total life style that promotes proper body weight. Every dog or cat with a weight control problem needs veterinary attention so that individualized medical tests can be done to discover any medical problem that could contribute to the dog or cat's body weight issues.

Healthy dogs and cats thrive on exercise, high quality pet foods based on meat protein (not corn), and individualized amounts fed per meal. Consider feeding less of a high quality diet (to reduce the total calories fed) rather than large amounts of "lite" or "low fat" or "reduced calorie" pet foods.

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