The Story of Phentermine and The Weight Loss Cocktails
STORY OF PHENTERMINE AND NEW COCKTAILS
Obesity is an illness which is harder to treat than many
cancers. Doctors and patients have been looking for a
pharmacological approach coupled with proper nutrition and
regular exercises to cope with chronic obesity. One of the most
popular drug for that purpose is phentermine.
Once widely praised as a "wonder drug", phentermine still boasts
as the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressant in the US,
one of the reason being its cheaper price tag compared to other
similar drugs.
Phentermine enhances the levels of several neurotransmitters
including dopamine and norepinephrine affecting blood flow,
heartbeat, and reactivity to stress. This makes people eat more
rapidly but to eat less. Another appetite suppressant,
fenfluramine, acts on a different neurotransmitter, serotonin.
Serotonin is involved in controlling mood and reduces the
feelings of agitation associated with hunger.
Phentermine is a generic name, which is sold under various brand
names including Ionamin, Adpex-P, Fastin, etc. Phentermine first
became available for consumers in the late 50s, and later
modified as Phentermine Hydrochloride (HCl) in the 70s.
Phentermine became popular again in the 90s in the form of
'cocktail', Fen-Phen. In 1992, Dr. Weintraub from University of
Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry published a paper
with a study that Fen-Phen works more effectively than diet or
exercise in chronic obese cases. Fen-Phen became an overnight
sensation.
While phentermine and fenfluramine are both approved by FDA
separately, their mixture, 'Fen-Phen' never was, and their
prescription by doctors was considered "off-label".
Dexfen-Phen is another combination including phentermine. In
this case, the other ingredient is dexfenfluramine or redux.
Dexfenfluramine was also used as an appetite suppressant.
Dexfen-Phen again followed the suit, and became widely popular.
In 1997, Mayo Clinic reported 24 cases of heart valve disease in
the patients who had taken fen-phen cocktail. Further findings
suggested fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine may be related to
heart valve disorder, and accordingly, FDA issued a public
health advisory and requested drug manufacturers to voluntarily
withdraw fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine.
Unlike fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, phentermine was not
taken off the market. Phentermine is again used in various
cocktail forms. It was necessary since phentermine's appetite
suppressing effect decreases rather rapidly over time.
One of the new cocktail involving phentermine is "Phen- Pro",
phentermine plus prozac, a popular antidepressants. Phen-pro
cocktail makes phentermine work longer and has no significant
psychological effect.
Even though phentermine cocktail works better in controlling
appetite, you should always discuss with your doctor about the
possible side effects. Also, it's always a good idea to eat
right and exercise regularly however great the drug seems to
work.
Jim writes for Health info
resources.