Understanding Appetite Suppressants
Utilized for a short time period by patients combating obesity, appetite suppressants are often prescribed when other forms of diet and exercise have proved unhelpful for those trying to lose weight. An appetite suppressant can also be referred to as a Anorectic, a Greek term meaning “without appetite”.
Many appetite suppressants fall into the Phenethylamine class of drug. Phenethylamines work on the nervous system by causing a marked increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Causing similar body effects to an amphetamine, the neurotransmitters of the brain are triggered to decrease appetite.
The History of the Appetite Suppressant
The history of the appetite suppressant is rooted in need rather than want. During World War I, the logistics department, taxed by the number of soldiers fighting on the front, needed to buy some time to get sufficient food supplies to all of those I need. The appetite suppressants offered that time and solved the hunger pains felt by the troops.
With the inception of World War II, the Germans ran out of supplies toward the end of the war and again appetite suppressants were used to solve the food shortage problem. Commercial use did not begin until the 1950’s when the first product hit the shelves for normal consumption.
Products Used as Appetite Suppressants
The appetite suppressant market is filled with both prescription strength and non prescription strength appetite suppressants. Listed below are a the most common appetite suppressants and the brand names these drugs can be purchased by.
- Oxyntomodulin
- Phentermine – Fastin, Adipex, Ionamin, others
- Rimonabant – Acomplia
- Diethylpropion – Tenuate
- Sibutramin – Meridia, Reductil
- Phendimetrazine – Prelu-2, Bontril
- Benzphetamine – Didrex
The Dangers of Appetite Suppressants
The compounds that make up Phenethylamine are very similar to those that make up amphetamines. This similarity imparts the associated addictive manner onto the appetite suppressants usage. Phenethylamine should only be used for a few short weeks. Any longer length of usage can result in addiction.
Appetite suppressants have been shown to cause marked increases in heart rate and blood pressure and thus should be taken with caution. Fenfluramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Ephedra and Ephedrine, to be exact, have been associated with damage of the heart valves and heart attack. After this linked was shown, the products were removed from the market.
When buying a new drug, the FDA website offers up to date information on the ingredients. A doctor should always be notified when starting a new medication.
