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.
About the Author
Jim Lendolff actively researches and writes on new findings and important news in healthcare fields from 1800pill.com
