“Caveat emptor”: Let the buyer beware.

The first prescription diet pill in more than 20 years — Redux — has been passed by the Food and Drug Administration. It has been billed by some as a major victory in the battle of the bulge.

FDA health officials say Redux works by altering the level of serotonin, a brain chemical that tells a body when it has had enough to eat.

The drug is marketed in the United States by Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals. While there are risks and side effects attributed to it, company officials contend that obesity itself poses a significant risk of illness and death.

Studies by the FDA show that Redux has significantly fewer side effects than other weight-loss drugs but has problems all its own. It can cause depression, nausea, sleepiness, diarrhea, dry mouth and, in very rare cases, Redux can cause fluid to back up in the lungs which could lead to congestive heart failure.

But right or wrong, good or bad, Redux can be found on campus.

“Yes, Redux is being prescribed on campus. As with any drug, however, it is important to weigh the benefits of whether or not to prescribe,” said Tom Cmelik, ISU Student Health Center pharmacist.

Malhar Gor‚, a physician at Student Health, said obesity is a problem throughout the United States. About one-third of all Americans are overweight, if not clinically obese.

Gor‚ said Redux is being used by three or four students. Those prescriptions, however, did not come from the Student Health Center.

“The few students who came in recently and were interested in Redux declined after finding out the latest information on side effects, specifically the risk of pulmonary hypertension. We don’t have any new takers,” Gor‚ said.

Overall, Gor‚ said that diet pills have the same side effects. “Redux, however, has a rare irreversible side effect of pulmonary hypertension, where changes in the blood vessels leading to and from the heart cause a back-up which can lead to congestive heart failure.”

But side effects haven’t stopped millions of Americans from seeking out Redux, the first diet pill approved by the FDA in more than 23 years.

Students who are interested in the drug are required to go through a series of preliminary lab tests to determine their need for it. Doctors check for medical complications that might interfere or promote greater risk with taking Redux.

“The best responders to Redux are those who are on a strict exercise program six to eight weeks before they begin taking Redux,” Gor‚ said. “It’s important that they don’t rely on the drug alone, without physical exercise and a healthy diet.”

Gor‚ said he and other health officials feel that weight-loss rates have been phenomenal with the use of Redux. “I don’t know of anyone using Redux who has not lost some amount of weight … However, after one year when the patient goes off the drug, it’s anyone’s call as to whether or not the weight will be kept off.”

Student Health charges $33.50 for 30 capsules of Redux, which amounts to two weeks of treatment, and $63.50 for a month’s supply.

Redux is a non-addictive appetite suppressant recommended for use only by those who are significantly overweight (by 20-30 percent of their ideal body weight).

The drug was designed for people who have tried and failed to lose weight with lifestyle changes.

That includes healthier eating habits, physical exercise, setting realistic weight-loss goals and sticking to weight-loss programs.

Are You Overweight?

Redux is intended for people 30% over their ideal weight for their height. The ranges ( in lbs.) below are those recommended by doctors. Source: Metropolitan Life

Women

Height Weight (lbs.) Height Weight

4’9″ 106-118

4’10” 108-120

4’11” 110-123

5’0″ 112-126

5’1″ 115-129

5’2″ 118-132

5’3″ 121-135

5’4″ 124-138

5’5″ 127-141

5’6″ 130-144

5’7″ 133-147

5’8″ 136-150

5’9″ 139-153

5’10” 142-156

Men

Height Weight Height Weight

5’1″ 126-136

5’2″ 128-138

5’3″ 130-140

5’4″ 132-143

5’5″ 134-146

5’6″ 137-149

5’7″ 142-152

5’8″ 143-155

5’9″ 146-158

5’10” 149-161

5’11” 152-165

6’0″ 155-169

6’1″ 159-173

6’2″ 162-177

6’3″ 166-182