Appetite suppressants weight loss medication review

Alarming obesity statistics

• More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese.
• Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.
• The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

This article is a comprehensive review of the various weight loss medications(diet pills), their side effects, how they work, expected weight loss, cost of these diet pills, availability etc.

Causes of Obesity 

Before going in to the details of the various diet pills, let me remind you that obesity is not a short term disease like the flu but a long term  medicatal conditon. Therefore, the treatment strategies for the long term management of this chronic condition should also be on a longer term basis.

Is this the cause of your weight gain?

I am also compelled to make a statement about how we got here to begin with when it comes to the problem of obesity. Despite the efforts from the various government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture that has been making recommendations on healthy foods through the failed food pyramid, now changed to food patterns, the waist lines of the average American has been expanding.

Is it possible that we are fighting the wrong war? What if obesity is just a proxy to a bigger and more sinister metabolic problem called insulin resistance which eventually leads to metabolic syndrome (a third of the US population has metabolic syndrome), prediabetes and diabetes.

The traditional thinking that obesity is a result of eating too much falls flat on its face as the whole population is gaining weight, not just a few individuals who might be intentionally overeating as the population acts as its own control and the population is not on a mission to gain weight. It is this metabolic process called insulin resistance that drives the metabolic starvation, overeating, weight gain and eventual risk of over 50 different medical problems.

Although there are a wide variety of other causes for weight gain, the process of insulin resistance that affects up to 71 percent of the population is one of the major contributors. This insulin resitance is a direct result of the failed

food pyramid that assumed fat and cholesterol are the problem and grains(read starch) is the solution, as starch needs insulin and over time of getting overeposed to insulin, the body becomes resistant to insulin. Learn more on insulin resistance here and watch these must watch youtube videos and Tedtalk.

Treatment options for treatment of obesity 

Here are the 5 proven measures to treat obesity.

1. Very low calorie diets with or without meal replacements.
2. Appetite suppressants or diet pills
3. Physical activity or exercise
4. Correction of known causes of weight gain
5. Bariatric weight loss surgery

The purpose of this article is to review the weight loss medications. So, let us focus on this topic.

How will these weight loss medications work?

The actual mechanism of action depends on the type of weight loss medication. Some of their stimulants that increase the body’s resting metabolic rate (RMR), also called basal metabolic rate or BMR. Other drugs suppress the appetite by making you less hungry. Yet others, make you not crave certain foods while others reduce food intake.

Who should consider diet pills or weight loss medications?

With locations in multiple states including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania with more centers being added on a regular basis, with physicians trained and experienced in the new field of obesity medicine and most W8MD centers accepting insurance for the physician weight loss visits, you have nothing to lose but your unwanted pounds with W8MD!

“Wonderful doctor.  Speaks to me with respect and great knowledge on weight loss.  Fabulous results after 2 months, I’ve lost 30 pounds.  Highly recommend.” – Mike B. on Yelp

If you are trying to lose weight and need a medication to help suppress the appetite, reduce cravings and increase metabolism, you probably want to consider one of the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressant medications by weight loss doctors called Adipex or Phentermine.

Although Phentermine or Adipex can be used on its own, many weight loss physicians do use it in combination with other diet pills, such as the combination of Phentermine with Topiramate like in the new diet pill, Qsymia, for additional help to reduce food cravings and for synergistic effect on weight loss.

Phentermine weight loss diet pill – How does Phentermine work? 

Phentermine, like it’s cuisine, Phendimetrazine(Bontril) is an Amphetamine based medication that helps you lose weight by helping your metabolism go up. Phentermine helps burn fat and also helps reduce hunger, and increase your resting metabolic rate so that your body is able to reduce caloric intake and increase metabolism so you can lose weight.

How commonly is Phentermine prescribed for weight loss?

Despite the many new weight loss medications now available such as Qsymia (Phentermine and Topiramate), Belviq(Lorcaserin), Saxenda(Liraglutide) and Conrave, Phentermine continues to be the most commonly used and most used weight loss medication or diet pill by most weight loss doctors, also called Bariatricians or obesity medicine doctors.

Combination of Phentermine with other weight loss medications

Although Phentermine can be used alone to help fight obesity and burn fat, it is increasingly being used with other weight loss medications or diet pills including Topiramate like in Qsymia.

What is Phentermine?

Related to the broad class of medications generally known as Amphetamines, Phentermine(Adipex) is the most widely used weight loss medication or diet pill in the United States.

Most popular weight loss drug for most weight loss doctors

A 2008 survey of prescribing practices found that 98% of bariatric medicine specialists(medical weight loss doctors) used appetite suppressants or diet pills in treating obesity and that 97% of those prescribed phentermine as their first choice.

What is Phentermine used for?

Phentermine is used for a limited period of time to speed weight loss in overweight or obese people defined as those weight a body mass index of over 25 in addition to diet and exercise as prescribed and supervised by a licensed and experienced weight loss physician.

How does Phentermine work for weight loss?

Phentermin is an anorectic medication that increases the metabolism and reduces hunger by decreasing appetite.

There are three main actions of Phentermine:

1. Phentermine works on the hypothalamus portion of the brain that eventually help stimulate the adrenal glands to release norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger that signals a fight-or-flight response, reducing hunger.
2. Phentermine works also outside the brain, as well, to release epinephrine or adrenaline, causing fat cells to break down stored fat, but the principal basis of efficacy is hunger-reduction.
3. Phentermine also releases serotonin and dopamine, but to a much lesser extent than that of norepinephrine.

FDA approval history of Phentermine

As one of the first medications to be approved by the FDA for weight loss, phentermine has been around for over 50 years. Approved in 1959, phentermine hydrochloride is now manufactured by several pharmaceutical companies includingn Gate Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Adipex-P and the less popular brand name Ionamin from Medeva Pharmaceuticals. Phentermine is also currently sold as a generic. Phentermine is a schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[11] In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In contrast, amphetamine preparations are classified as Schedule II controlled substances.

Combination of Phentermine with Topiramate Extended Release (Qsymia)

Phentermine is being studied in combination with other medications for obesity. The first such combination is the appetite suppressant phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia formerly Qnexa). In 2012, the FDA approved its sale in the United States and is currently one of the most effective weight loss combinations when the patients are able to tolerate the medication.

Extended release formulation of Phentermine

Phentermine comes as tablets and extended-release capsules. It usually is taken as a single daily dose in the morning or three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Duration of therapy of Apidex – P or Phentermine

Originally approved for short term therapy for obesity, phentermine is used for treatment of obesity. However, the FDA has been questioned by many weight loss physicians and physician groups, most notably, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, as to the rationale in limiting the use of Phentermine for short term use when obesity itself is recognized as a chronic or long term process. Realizing this folly in the original labelling of Phentermine, the US FDA has stated that the newer combination medications such as Qsymia (Phentermine and Topiramate) are approved for long term use although the indication for Phentermine alone remains unchanged. Most weight loss physicians use Phentermine longer term as an off label indication based on idividual patient situation.

Side effects of Phentermine

Generally speaking, phentermine is relatively well tolerated especially in smaller doses and when used under proper clinical supervision with physicians familiar with use of Phentermine.

Common side effects of Adipex – P or Phentermine

Common (>1% incidence) adverse effects include:

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Hypertension
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Agitation

• Headache
• Rash
• Urinary frequency
• Facial oedema
• Unpleasant taste
• Urticaria
• Impotence
• Changes in libido

Less common or rare (<1% incidence) adverse effects include:

• Valvular heart disease (in combination with dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine; causal relationship unclear)
• Primary pulmonary hypertension
• Increased seizure activity in people with epilepsy
• Psychosis
• Withdrawal symptoms on stopping
• Dysphoria
• Ischaemic events

Cautions and Contraindications for use Phentermine

Phentermine use is contraindicated in those who are:

• Known hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction to sympathomimetic amines
• Taking amphetamine (i.e., Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse), dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, guanadrel, guanethidine, or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine) in the last 14 days
• Hyperthyroidism
• Concomitant treatment with drugs that increase blood pressure
• Glaucoma
• Peptic ulcer
• Prostatic hypertrophy
• Epilepsy
• Contraindicated in cardiac disease (e.g. advanced arteriosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
• Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• Those receiving serotonergic medications such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, tricyclic antidepressant, due to the potential for serotonin syndrome to be precipitated by the cotreatment.

Drug interactions for Phentermine

Medicines which may interact with phentermine, such as dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, or MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine) are contraindicated because of the risk of serious side effects, such as increasing headache, high blood pressure, slow heart rate, elevated temperature, or possibly fatal lung problems, may be increased. Guanadrel (Hylorel) or guanethidine (Ismelin) effectiveness may be decreased by phentermine. Antacids may decrease the excretion of phentermine. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide) may decrease the excretion of phentermine.

Trade names

Adipex P (immediate release), Ionamin

Cost of Phentermine at W8MD Weight Loss Clinics – Lowest Cost Adipex

The cost of Phentermine varies. At most W8MD weight loss locations, when and if Phentermine was determined to be a medication appropriate for a particular patient by the weight loss physician after the initial history and physical examination, it may be included in the biweekly program cost of $50.00 includes up to two diet pills, depending on the particular W8MD weight loss center. As most other weight loss clinics that offer Adipex charge much more, for most people, the W8MD weight loss clinics that offer Adipex for appetite suppression ends up being one of the lowest cost weight loss prescription medication for them. Contact the individual location for more information.

W8MD weight loss physicians are familiar with use of Prescription Adipex or Phentermine and other weight loss medications and can offer this as one of the options to lose weight for eligible patients when medically appropriate in addition to a reduced calorie diet and appetite suppression!

As Adipex lowers the food cravings, increases the fat burning, and metabolism, most patients on Adipex are able to lose weight faster compared to those that do not take this prescription diet pill.

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