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Phentermine

The surviving half of the notorious phen-fen, phentermine is still being prescribed as an appetite suppressant. It is widely sold by Internet pharmacies and, besides weight loss, there are indications that it is being used as a form of "speed" in some circles, because of its tendency to induce insomnia.

Phentermine is nothing new. It was the first appetite suppressant introduced in the U.S. and was approved by the FDA in 1959 -- but only for short-term use in obesity treatment, generally not more than 90 days. While phentermine is often successful in creating a full feeling and thus reducing food intake, its effects generally last only six weeks or so and it is thus not a permanent answer to weight control. Anyone using the drug must be carefully monitored since primary pulmonary artery hypertension, a lethal condition, is a known side effect.

In the 1980s, drug companies began marketing phentermine in combination with fenfluramine, creating a potent duo that, unfortunately, also tended to cause serious complications, including leaky heart valves and pulmonary hypertension. Lately, researchers have found that neurotoxicity and short-term memory impairment are also associated with these drugs. The long-term implications of this remain to be seen.

In Europe, the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products, the equivalent of the FDA, has recommended that pentermine be withdrawn from the market because it doesn't work.

July 9 2008

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