Medication in the Treatment of Obesity (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Medications to Avoid
Some medications are not recommended for weight loss because of safety concerns. Some are no longer available in the United States. Avoid them.
"Fen-phen"
Two drugs known as fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux) affect serotonin levels in the brain.
- These drugs, which are closely related to each other, were used in drug combinations that became very popular in the 1990s for treatment of obesity.
- The combination was commonly referred to as fen-phen.
- These drugs were withdrawn from the market in 1997 after they were linked to heart valve problems and primary pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension affects the blood vessels in the lungs and is debilitating and often fatal.
Ephedrine (ephedra, ma-huang)
A ruling by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 12, 2004, prohibits dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (ephedra).Ephedra, also called ma-huang, is a naturally occurring substance derived from plants. Its principal active ingredient is ephedrine, which, when chemically synthesized, is regulated as a drug. In recent years, ephedra products have been extensively promoted to aid weight loss, enhance sports performance, and increase energy. However, the FDA has determined that ephedra presents an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Ephedrine has been linked to significant adverse health effects, including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke, and death.
PPA
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a stimulant that is closely related to ephedrine. PPA was previously an ingredient in appetite suppressants as well as over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.
- The FDA has issued a warning regarding PPA use. As a result, manufacturers removed products containing PPA from the market in October 2000.
- Studies have suggested that this product is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke in women.
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Important Safety Information
- KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
- Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
- The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.
Uses of KAPIDEX
- Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.
Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see full Prescribing Information for KAPIDEX.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
KAPIDEX™ is a trademark of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and is used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
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Obesity »
Obesity is a substantial public-health crisis in the United States and in the rest of the developed world.
