Title: Some Treatments for Obesity

Obesity is fundamentally associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Weight loss reduces the risk factors for complications associated with the excess weight, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

There are other several treatment options for the management of overweight and obese individuals, including diet therapy, changes in physical activity, behavioral therapy and drug therapy, surgery and a combination of these. Treatment for obesity will be the most successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor. A reasonable goal that might be to begin making lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity and limiting calories.

Your initial goal should be to improve your health, but not to achieve an ideal weight. Although the “formula” for weight loss-to burn more calories than you take in-is not much complicated, it is oftenly hard to achieve and maintain. Along with lifestyle changes, medicines and surgery may be some othe options for some people. The treatment for obesity you need actual depends on your level of obesity, your overall health, and your motivation to lose weight.

The method of treatment for obesity totally depends on your level of obesity, overall health condition, and motivation to lose weight. Treatment for obesity also includes a combination of diet, exercise, behavior modification, and also FDA-approved obesity drugs like Meridia and Xenical. In cases of most severe clinical obesity, obese patients with co-morbid conditions may qualify for gastric surgery (e.g. stomach bypass, stomach stapling, stomach banding, and lap band) or other surgical intervention (e.g. vertical stomach gastrectomy). The use of laparoscopic techniques just by bariatric surgeons is gradually reducing many perioperative and postoperative health risks. cardiovascular diseases.

There are other several treatment options for the management of overweight and obese individuals, including diet therapy, changes in physical activity, behavioral therapy and drug therapy, surgery and a combination of these.

Treatment for obesity will be the most successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor. A reasonable goal that might be to begin making lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity and limiting calories.

Your initial goal should be to improve your health, but not to achieve an ideal weight. Although the “formula” for weight loss-to burn more calories than you take in-is not much complicated, it is oftenly hard to achieve and maintain. Along with lifestyle changes, medicines and surgery may be some othe options for some people. The treatment for obesity you need actual depends on your level of obesity, your overall health, and your motivation to lose weight.

The list of Treatments for obesity also includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about to any treatment for obesity or change in treatment plans. • Diet changes • Low Calorie Diet – 800-1500 calories • Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) – less than 800 calories • Exercise • Appetite-suppressant medications • Orlistat • Sibutramine • Dexfenfluramine (Redux:withdrawn) • Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tenuate dospan) • Fenfluramine (Pondimin:withdrawn) • “fen/phen” Fenfluramine/phentermine (withdrawn) • Mazindol (Sanorex, Mazanor) • Orlistat (Xenical) • Phendimetrazine (Bontril, Plegine, Prelu-2, X-Trozine) • Phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin, Ionamin, Oby-trim) • Sibutramine (Meridia) • Drug combinations • Treatment of any underlying causes of obesity • Vitamin D – possibly used for treatment of vitamin D deficiency

Phen-Fen Lawsuits in the United States

Fen-Phen (or Phen-Fen) is a combination of the drugs fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine (Fastin) used to treat obesity. The use of Fen-Phen has been associated with serious medical conditions, specifically valvular heart disease (damaged heart valves), PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) and neuropsychological complications.

The use of these drugs in combination or for extended periods of time was never approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The FDA eventually requested that they be withdrawn from the market.

Numerous phen-fen lawsuits have been filed by fen-phen attorneys in the United States. They include class action phen-fen lawsuits and claims made on behalf of individuals by fen-phen attorneys in attempts to recover damages related to the use of fen-phen.

The most recent trend has involved a refusal of afflicted consumers to participate in class action litigation mediated by Federal Courts in favor of filing in state jurisdictions, where amounts awarded may be considerably higher. These efforts have been countered by efforts to refer these state cases to higher courts.

Medical Complications:

Valvular heart disease results in inefficiencies in the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood to it’s ultimate destination, be it the lungs, or to the remainder of the body. People who have developed this complication require intensive medical management of their condition and symptoms, surgical repair of damaged valves, or sometimes replacement of the defective valves.

PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) also requires complex efforts to manage symptoms medically, but may ultimately require organ transplant. Despite aggressive therapies, it may be fatal.

Neuropsychological complications include changes in behavior, depression or mood swings, memory loss and psychosis. Treatment for these disturbances is limited to efforts aimed at minimizing symptoms, and at times may include medication or hospitalization.

Litigation:

Individual who have suffered damages as a result of taking fen-phen, or fenfluramine and the related drug, dexfenfluramine (Redux) are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical expenses, and punitive damages.

Efforts to assist those people who have suffered damages as a result of taking fen-phen is provided by fen-phen attorneys through litigation (phen-fen lawsuits), either in the form of class action suits or individual claims.

On August 18, 2006, Bloomberg News reported that more than 175,000 claims had been filed since Pondimin and Redux were recalled. They also noted that Wyeth (the company responsible for the manufacture and distribution of these products) had settled countless claims before filing was necessary.

In 1999, American Home Products (Wyeth) suffered a verdict that awarded $23 million to the family of a women who had developed serious medical complication related to her use of one of their products.

American Home Products later negotiated a class action settlement for $3.75 billion which was subsequently increased to $4.75 billion to help pay for damages related to their products.

Thousands of phen-fen lawsuits have been filed across the country in every conceivable jurisdiction related to damages of this type.

What is Obesity

Obesity used to be understood in fairly simple terms: excess body weight resulting from eating too much and exercising too little, due in large part to a lack of willpower or self-restraint.

Fortunately for the millions of American adults who are overweight, obesity is now regarded as a chronic medical disease with serious health implications caused by a complex set of factors.

How it began..

Obesity results from a complex interaction of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors causing an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in body weight of 20 percent or more above desirable weight is the point at which excess weight becomes an established health hazard. Lower levels of excess weight can also constitute a health risk, particularly in the presence of other disorders like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease

Prescription medications currently prescribed for weight loss include:

1. Diethylpropion (Trade names: Tenuate, Tenuate dospan)

2. Mazindole (Trade name: Sanorex)

3.Orlistat (Trade name: Xenical)

4.Phendimetrazine (Trade names: Bontril, Plegine, Prelu-2, X-Troxine)

5.Phentermine (Trade name: Adipex-P, Fastin, Ionamin, Oby-trim)

6. Sibutramine (Trade name: Meridia)

The medications listed above are currently used to treat obesity. In general, these medications are modestly effective, especially when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and moderate exercise. Average weight losses between five and 22 pounds can be expected beyond those seen with non-drug obesity treatments, when only a low-calorie diet and exercise regimen are followed. There is considerable individual variation in response to weight-loss medications; some people experience more weight loss than others.

Side effect

Rarely, serious and even fatal outcomes have been reported. The FDA-approved appetite suppressant medications that affect serotonin (fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine) have been withdrawn from the market.A physician-supervised medical weight loss program may be the safest and wisest way to lose weight and maintain the loss.

Overweight and obesity are frequently accompanied by other medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and others. A bariatric physician is trained to detect and treat these conditions, which might go undetected and untreated in a non-medical weight loss program.

The Solution

The suggested weight loss program includes a diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in fat with adequate protein and other nutrients. On this type of program, your body breaks down fat instead of muscle. Carbohydrates also take up more space in the stomach than fats and proteins.

Hoodia and Phentermine-why Play Russian Roulette?

*Don’t Gamble With Appetite Suppressants*

Russian Roulette. Now there is a fun game…lets play. In our game we will put a couple of bullets in the chamber, one will be a harmless blank and the other will be a regular bullet, fit to do it’s damage. Now all we have to do is give the chamber a spin, put the barrel against our nose, and pull the trigger until it goes boom.

Does that sound like something you, an intelligent human being would want to play. Of course not. However, there are millions of people playing Russian roulette with their diet pills.

These people buy diet pills (appetite suppressants) without even knowing what’s, well, in the chamber. The results of this game of chance can be very explosive.

*Phentermine the Virtual Bullet*

Here is the Wikipedia definition of phentermine:

“It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight in obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise, diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight and works by helping to release certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite.”

This stuff was first sold under the name of Fastin. Then, after problems started showing up in those using it, it was removed from the market (in 1998).

However, the pharmaceutical companies don’t give up easy…it is currently sold as a Adipex-P, Ionamin, and a generic. The most recent “shame” company has combined phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine and become known as Fen-Phen.

Then problems started showing up. In 1997, after 24 cases of heart valve disease in Fen-Phen users, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were removed from the market at the request of the FDA. Later, studies proved that 30% of those taking fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine had abnormal valve problems.

I just can’t understand why this stuff (phentermine) was left on the market by the FDA$. Oops, pardon the faulty punctuation.

*Now How About Hoodia*

This appetite suppressant does not cause any problems with people’s heart rate, mental state, blood pressure…or anything else. The San People, who live in Southern Africa, have used it for thousands of years to hold off hunger in times when there was little or no food available without any side effects. It simply and safely fools the body into thinking that it’s already had enough food.

Now, when it comes to comparing hoodia and phentermine, there really is no comparison, is there? So what shall you do if you want to use an appetite suppressant? Just be wise in what you choose. And please do not forget that, for maximum weight loss success and better health, you must be sure to exercise and eat right.

Have u ever takin Fastin?

Its a weight loss pill? If u have, did u loose any weight? How long did it take?

Is Phentermine Legal?

Some people have the misconception that phentermine is an illegal substance, and weight loss pills that contain phentermine are sold illicitly. This is wrong. Phentermine is merely a controlled substance in most countries in the world, including the United States. This means that the manufacture, delivery, dispensation, administration and use of phentermine must be regulated; thus, the need for a prescription prior to purchasing the drug. According to the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances held by the United Nations, phentermine is a Schedule IV substance.

Phentermine belongs to the drug class of amphetamines. Although the chemical structure of phentermine is similar to amphetamine, it is not a kind of amphetamine. However, because of its similarity, phentermine can produce a positive result for drug tests.

Phentermine as a treatment for obesity was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 1959. At that time, the only available preparation of phentermine was the resin form. Further research and development resulted in the production of phentermine hydrochloride in the 1970s.

Phentermine was formerly manufactured as Fastin by King Pharmaceuticals for the company Smithkline Beecham. However, in December of the year 1998, the drug was taken off the market by SK-Beecham.

Other pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture weight loss pills containing phentermine. Gate Pharmaceuticals produces Adipex-P, while Medeva Pharmaceuticals sells it as Ionamin. Phentermine is also available as a generic medication.

Aside from these, phentermine is also available in combination with other drugs. Fen-Phen, a cocktail of fenfluramine and phentermine, and Dexfen-Phen, a cocktail of dexfenfluramine and phentermine, were extremely effective as weight loss agents. However, in the year 1997, a report by the Mayo clinic revealed that more than 20 patients taking the cocktails developed valvular heart disease. Further researches revealed that around 30% of patients who were taking dexfenfluramine or fenfluramine alone also developed heart valve disease. The FDA promptly requested the manufacturers of these drugs to withdraw them from the market. Phentermine, on the other hand, remained in the market, as the drug was not noted to cause the aforementioned adverse effect.

A newer cocktail is known as Phen-Pro, a combination of phentermine and Prozac. The mixture results in a longer effect of phentermine. The cocktail has not been shown to cause the same side effects as Fen-Phen. However, at present, the use of the drug has still not been approved by the FDA. The use of Phen-Pro remains “off-label”.

Technically, drugs containing phentermine can only be bought if you have a prescription from a physician. However, it is now possible to buy phentermine weight loss pills even without one. Although it is possible, to do so is illegal. Another act that is illegal is giving or selling one’s phentermine pills to another individual. By doing any of these acts, one can be prosecuted under both the state and the federal laws.

Phentermine is not an illegal drug, but it requires adequate medical supervision. Consult your physician if you plan on using weight loss pills containing phentermine.

Phentermine

Phentermine is a drug used for short-term weight loss in patients who are obese. It is a regulated drug, and typically requires a prescription from a physician when purchasing. If you’re interested in taking Phentermine, it is first important to know some basic information about the drug.

Phentermine is classified under the drug class of amphetamines. The name phentermine is a shortened form of phenyl-tertiary-butylamine. Chemically, phentermine is actually 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine and 2-methyl-amphetamine. Phentermine is also known by a number of brand names, such as Adipex, Fastin, Ionamin and Pro-Fast. There is likewise a generic form of amphetamine that is available in the market.

Phentermine is used in the treatment of obesity, especially for those individuals who are at risk for developing heart disease in the future. Best results are achieved when the drug is combined with both regular exercise and the proper diet. The drug is completely absorbed in the body by around 4 to 6 hours, and has peak levels in the blood 1 to 4 hours after drug intake. This drug should not be used in combination with other drugs for weight loss.

Phentermine works by suppressing one’s appetite. It stimulates the brain to release special chemicals known as catecholamines. These catecholamines produce a stress response in the body that stops the hunger signal from reaching the brain. These chemicals are thus responsible for the loss of appetite associated with the intake of the drug.

In the late 1950s, phentermine was approved as an appetite suppressant by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA. The resin form of the drug became commercially available soon afterward. Phentermine hydrochloride, the active ingredient used in phentermine preparations nowadays, was developed and eventually became available in the market in the early 1970s.

In general, phentermine is a well-tolerated drug, with relatively mild side effects. These include a high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, palpitations, nervousness and headache. A common side effect of the drug is insomnia; thus, the drug should not be taken at bedtime. If used longer than prescribed, it can result in addiction or dependency. However, when used properly, phentermine produces rapid weight loss with few, if any, adverse reactions.

Phentermine has become the focus of numerous controversies. Specifically, the combination of phentermine with fenfluramine, also known as Fen-Phen, was associated with the development of disease of the heart valves. Research revealed that this side effect can be attributed to the fenfluramine component, and not phentermine per se; thus, phentermine by itself remains available in the market. However, because of the risk of addiction that may develop in individuals taking the drug, phentermine is considered as a controlled substance in various countries all over the world. At present, phentermine is classified as a Schedule IV drug based on the international Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Phentermine can have serious effects on people with certain medical conditions, and may interact with a number of medications. Thus, it is best to consult your physician prior to taking phentermine or any other weight loss agent.

Fen-Phen Diet Drug Lawsuits Filed in Texas

The use of Fen-Phen, a combination of the drugs fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine (Fastin), has been associated with serious medical complications that include valvular heart disease (damaged heart valves, usually the mitral and aortic valves), PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) and neuropsychological side effects.

There may still be many individuals with undiagnosed complications resulting from the use of these drugs. During the 1990s, millions of American used this combination of drugs to assist with weight loss.

Fen-Phen Cases in Texas:

Numerous Fen-Phen lawsuits have been filed by Fen-Phen attorneys across the country on behalf of people who were afflicted with various complications.

Bloomberg News reported that more than 175,000 claims had been filed since Fen-Phen was removed from the market, and that in the preceding 9 years, Wyeth had settled numerous claims before lawsuits were filed.

On August 7, 1999, a jury delivered the first verdict against the manufacturer of one of these drugs, American Home Products. The award was for $23 million, but was settled for a fraction of this amount during an appeal.

American Home Products subsequently decided to negotiate a class action settlement that was originally for $3.75 billion, but was later increased to $4.75 billion.

On May 24, 2006, Reuters News reported that Wyeth had set aside more than $21 billion to cover legal costs and settlements since they withdrew fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux) from the market.

Approximately 500,000 people chose to pursue an alternate tact by filing claims in state courts, including Oregon, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Texas.

On April 7, 2001, a Texas jury awarded $11.5 million in compensatory damages and $45 million in punitive damages to a woman related to her claim. The court reduced the amount to $8.2 million plus $1 million in pre-trial interest. The case was ultimately settled for an unknown amount.

In April of 2004, the family of a Texas woman who died from complications associated with her use of Fen-Phen was awarded $1.03 billion by a jury in Beaumont, Texas. The jury found that the company who manufactured the responsible drug, Wyeth, was responsible for her death four years after she had taken the drug over an eight month period.

This award included $113 million in compensatory damages and $900 million in punitive damages.

Since the diagnosis of some of the complications associated with the use of Fen-Phen is complicated, and many sufferers may be without symptoms, there are likely a large number of people who suffered damages related to the use of these drugs. Fen-Phen attorneys are likely to be filing countless additional Fen-Phen lawsuits in the future.

Phentermine Today

Obesity is considered to be a chronic pathological condition resulting from complicated interaction of emotions, psychological circumstances and genetic factors. The past 30-40 years of studies have brought evidence to the fact that obesity is additional health risk and can cause a spectrum of metabolic disorders, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and gall bladder disease. However, even mild reduction of weight shows improvements in blood pressure tests, glycemic control, and cholesterol levels as well as increases the lifetime of overweight patients. Weight loss also alleviates suffering which may be caused by social stigmatization or poor self-image.

Currently, epidemic of obesity is becoming a worldwide problem. That is why a significant emphasis on anti-obesity drugs is now made in pharmaceutics. Pharmacotherapy in the treatment of obese patients is primarily aimed at weight loss, weight loss maintenance and risk reduction.

One of the most popular and effective drugs is Phentermine, a prescription medication, that is used to assist with the battle of obesity. Phentermine can be related to the group of appetite suppressants. It stimulates the hypothalamus gland and affects certain brain circuits to reduce appetite. The hypothalamus is considered to be responsible for the autonomic nervous system control, regulation of body temperature, sleep cycles, appetite and other functions.

Phentermine is a highly effective anti-obesity medication which is usually prescribed to overweight patients who suffer from diseases related to obesity. The amount of weight patients loose during phentermine therapy depends on the degree of caloric restriction and the course of exercises.

The way to healthy lifestyle and normal weight can be rather long and requires great patience. Phentermine is designed as a short term medication that can help people at the beginning of weight loosing process, making it easier for them to undergo changes in attitude towards exercises and food intake. Long-continued phentermine taking is useless and, what is more important can cause serious side effects. After several weeks of treatment, the body accommodates to the drug and starts building up resistance to its effects. By this time patients should already get used to regular exercises and diet, so it will be easy for them to gradually reduce to zero phentermine consumption. Remember that no medication, including phentermine, can substitute proper diet and training. Only conjunction of these activities and drug treatment can bring results.

Today phentermine is the most prescribed drug due to its effectiveness, availability and low costs. It is distributed under various brand names such as Ionamin, Adipex-P, Obenix, Fastin, Obephen, Oby-Trim, Oby-Cap, Phentercot, Panshape M Phentride, Pro-Fast SA, Pro-Fast HS, Pro-Fast SR, Zantryl, Teramine. Many of these medications are available online. All these drugs are approved by FDA and produce equal weight loss. Phentermine is available in time-release or immediate release formulas. Immediate release pills get to the blood stream promptly after being taken while time-release capsules release their medication into the body during a long period of time, typically 8 – 12 hours.

Phentermine is a right prescription for carefully examined patients who run considerable medical risk caused by their obesity. It is not recommended to mildly overweight people unless they have diseases worsened by extra body weight. This medication should not be used to perfect appearance. In most cases the drive for “ideal shape” in severely obese patients is absolutely unnecessary. No currently available anti-obesity medication can justify such hopes. Nevertheless, a modest weight loss of 5% – 10% of body weight shows significant improvements in health of patients and also reduces the risk factors for different diseases.

It is substantial to understand that phentermine alone is powerless in the face of obesity. It should be used in combination with exercise program, diet and overall healthy lifestyle. In short term treatment phentermine has been proved to produce significant weight loss and reduction of risks of medical problems. The task now is to maintain normal weight successfully without any drugs for the long term.

Has anyone tried Fastin?

Just like anyone, trying to lose weight… I’ve done changes on my diet and excersie habits, I have lost 56 lbs so far in 7 mos… so Im kinda proud of myself. BUT I need help getting rid of the last 30 pounds!!!… So just wondering if someone had any experience with this Fastin pills… THANKS!