The Lancet, Volume 377, Issue 9774, Pages 1341 - 1352, 16 April 2011

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doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60205-5 Cite or Link Using DOI
Published Online: 11 April 2011

Effects of low-dose, controlled-release,

phentermine plus topiramate combination on
weight and associated comorbidities in
overweight and obese adults (CONQUER): a
randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial
Dr Kishore M Gadde MD a , Prof David B Allison PhD b, Donna H Ryan MD c, Craig A
Peterson MS e, Barbara Troupin MD e, Michael L Schwiers MS d, Wesley W Day PhD e

Summary

Background

Obesity is associated with a reduction in life expectancy and an increase in mortality from
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other causes. We therefore assessed the efficacy and
safety of two doses of phentermine plus topiramate controlled-release combination as an
adjunct to diet and lifestyle modification for weight loss and metabolic risk reduction in
individuals who were overweight and obese, with two or more risk factors.

Methods

In this 56-week phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned overweight or obese adults (aged 18—70
years), with a body-mass index of 27—45 kg/m2 and two or more comorbidities (hypertension,
dyslipidaemia, diabetes or prediabetes, or abdominal obesity) to placebo, once-daily
phentermine 7·5 mg plus topiramate 46·0 mg, or once-daily phentermine 15·0 mg plus
topiramate 92·0 mg in a 2:1:2 ratio in 93 centres in the USA. Drugs were administered orally.
Patients were randomly assigned by use of a computer-generated algorithm that was
implemented through an interactive voice response system, and were stratified by sex and
diabetic status. Investigators, patients, and study sponsors were masked to treatment.
Primary endpoints were the percentage change in bodyweight and the proportion of patients
achieving at least 5% weight loss. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered
with Clinical Trials.gov, number NCT00553787.

Findings
Of 2487 patients, 994 were assigned to placebo, 498 to phentermine 7·5 mg plus topiramate
46·0 mg, and 995 to phentermine 15·0 mg plus topiramate 92·0 mg; 979, 488, and 981
patients, respectively, were analysed. At 56 weeks, change in bodyweight was −1·4 kg (least-
squares mean −1·2%, 95% CI −1·8 to −0·7), −8·1 kg (−7·8%, −8·5 to −7·1; p<0·0001), and −10·2
kg (−9·8%, −10·4 to −9·3; p<0·0001) in the patients assigned to placebo, phentermine 7·5 mg
plus topiramate 46·0 mg, and phentermine 15·0 mg plus topiramate 92·0 mg, respectively.
204 (21%) patients achieved at least 5% weight loss with placebo, 303 (62%; odds ratio 6·3,
95% CI 4·9 to 8·0; p<0·0001) with phentermine 7·5 mg plus topiramate 46·0 mg, and 687 (70%;
9·0, 7·3 to 11·1; p<0·0001) with phentermine 15·0 mg plus topiramate 92·0 mg; for ≥10%
weight loss, the corresponding numbers were 72 (7%), 182 (37%; 7·6, 5·6 to 10·2; p<0·0001),
and 467 (48%; 11·7, 8·9 to 15·4; p<0·0001). The most common adverse events were dry mouth
(24 [2%], 67 [13%], and 207 [21%] in the groups assigned to placebo, phentermine 7·5 mg plus
topiramate 46·0 mg, and phentermine 15·0 mg plus topiramate 92·0 mg, respectively),
paraesthesia (20 [2%], 68 [14%], and 204 [21%], respectively), constipation (59 [6%], 75 [15%],
and 173 [17%], respectively), insomnia (47 [5%], 29 [6%], and 102 [10%], respectively),
dizziness (31 [3%], 36 [7%], 99 [10%], respectively), and dysgeusia (11 [1%], 37 [7%], and 103
[10%], respectively). 38 (4%) patients assigned to placebo, 19 (4%) to phentermine 7·5 mg plus
topiramate 46·0 mg, and 73 (7%) to phentermine 15·0 mg plus topiramate 92·0 mg had
depression-related adverse events; and 28 (3%), 24 (5%), and 77 (8%), respectively, had
anxiety-related adverse events.

Interpretation

The combination of phentermine and topiramate, with office-based lifestyle interventions,

might be a valuable treatment for obesity that can be provided by family doctors.

Funding