Generic drug to lose weight can be safe and effective for long-term treatment

An inexpensive weight loss drug, approved 60 years ago for short-term use only, could also be safe and effective for long-term treatment, according to a study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health and Research for the advancement of patients in the advanced learning (PORTAL) network. The study is published in today's issue of the journal Obesity.

The drug, Phentermine, is currently approved by the FDA for use up to three months.

"Although diet and exercise are essential components of any weight loss program, almost half of all patients are unable to change their lifestyle in the long term," said the first author. , Kristina H. Lewis, MD, assistant professor of epidemiology and prevention. , at wake forest baptism.

"In these cases, medications or surgery can help." Generic phentermine is an effective and affordable option, but now that we consider obesity as a chronic disease, it's important to have drugs that can be used indefinitely. Most of the newer drugs for weight loss are approved for long-term use, but unfortunately, newer medications can be expensive if they are not covered by insurance. "

Lewis and his team analyzed data from the electronic health records of 13,972 adults who had been prescribed phentermine for short-term use compared to long-term use of a year or more. The researchers compared weight loss and blood pressure variations over a period of up to two years, as well as the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death for up to a period of time. 39 to three years, depending on the duration of use of the drug by the patient.

The study found that people who stayed on phentermine longer had greater weight loss than those who took it for three months or less, and that long-term use was not associated with increased blood pressure or increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

"In general, the more patients followed the treatment, the more they lost weight," Lewis said. "Not surprisingly, when patients stopped taking the medication, weight gain was commonplace."

However, Lewis warned that phentermine is a stimulant and should not be used in people with a history of uncontrolled heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. But for those with low heart risk, normal blood pressure or well-treated high blood pressure, this could be a good affordable option, she said.

"For patients who respond to it and tolerate it, phentermine can be a safe and affordable way to achieve greater and longer-lasting weight loss, but we need clinical trials for more certainty." said Mr. Lewis. "At the moment, the FDA's labeling is not changed, so doctors need to be cautious when they decide to prescribe it in the longer term."

The study did not examine the most effective dose of the drug nor the potential side effects such as anxiety or insomnia. In addition, the participants in the study had no evidence of pre-existing cardiac disease and most were young or middle-aged women.

Provided by
Wake Forest University, Baptist Medical Center