The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial. It was originally designed to last a total of 74 weeks: an 8 week non.pharmacologic low-calorie (800 to 1000 kcl/d) weight loss run-in phase, an 8 week titration phase, 52 week maintenance phase, and 6 week drug taper and follow up phase.