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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Market.The FDA approved Bontril® PDM (phendimetrazine tartrate) in 1976 for the treatment of obesity. It is a phenylalkylamine sympathomimetic amine that stimulates the central nervous system. But these medications have been associated with an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension, a rare and life-threatening disorder. Phendimetrazine is an oral tablet that remains available as a prescription, but it’s not as popular as phentermine.During the 1970s, the FDA also approved fenfluramine, an oral tablet commonly used as an appetite suppressant at that time.Over-the-counter appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) became more popular in the 1980s. PPA had long been used as a nasal decongestant, but an expert FDA panel recognized it as generally safe and effective for weight control in 1982. The FDA later withdrew approval of those weight loss medications amid safety concerns.Drug companies eventually discontinued PPA because of its association with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.A short-lived weight loss medication emerged in the 1990s with the introduction of fen-phen—the combination of fenfluramine with phentermine. Evidence linking fen-phen to valvular heart disease led to fen-phen’s quick demise. Today, phentermine still plays an active role in the treatment of obesity as one of the active ingredients in Qsymia®.In 1997, the FDA approved the weight loss drug Meridia® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate). But Meridia lost the FDA’s blessing when clinical trial data linked the drug to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.In the 1990s, the FDA also approved metformin, an oral medication, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Metformin is regularly used today to help promote weight loss in people with obesity.(Related: Ozempic® vs Metformin For Weight Loss)In 2005, the FDA approved the very first GLP-1 agonist to treat people with type 2 diabetes.The approval of the first GLP-1 injectable medication was a huge development and game-changer for weight loss treatment. Initially, weight loss was only noted as a potential side effect of the drug. Clinical trials for exenatide demonstrated the potential of this diabetes drug for weight loss. Exenatide paved the way for future GLP-1s, providing new treatment options for people with obesity.Meanwhile, Alli® (orlistat) oral capsules became available over the counter in 2007. Orlistat inhibits the absorption of dietary fats, which can promote weight loss. But common side effects include oily rectal discharge, passing gas with oily discharge, and the urgent need to have a bowel movement.The unfortunate side effects of orlistat soon became known as the Alli-oops. Dr.
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