User:Agottler/FinalDrafts

List of anorectics[edit]
Other compounds with known appetite suppressant activity include:


 * Amphetamine sulfate (also known as amfetamine) – USFDA-approved for the treatment of exogenous obesity under the brand name "Evekeo".
 * Cocaine
 * Methamphetamine hydrochloride – USFDA-approved for the treatment of obesity (as a short-term) under the brand name "Desoxyn".
 * Nicotine - commonly used for weight reduction effects

Public health concerns[edit]
Epidemics of fatal pulmonary hypertension and heart valve damage associated with pharmaceutical anorectic agents have led to the withdrawal of products from the market. This was the case with aminorex in the 1960s, and again in the 1990s with fenfluramine (see: Fen-phen). Likewise, association of the related appetite suppressant phenylpropanolamine with hemorrhagic stroke led the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) to request its withdrawal from the market in the United States in 2000, and similar concerns regarding ephedrine resulted in an FDA ban on its inclusion in dietary supplements in 2004. A Federal judge later overturned this ban in 2005 during a challenge by supplement maker Nutraceuticals. It is also debatable as to whether the ephedrine ban had more to do with its use as a precursor in methamphetamine manufacture rather than health concerns with the ingredient as such.

[Added paragraphs]:

Nicotine has been the subject of public health concern because it is the primary addictive ingredient in tobacco products, which are the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. While past legislation has proven to only reduce nicotine use by about 1% a year at best, the United States Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA) has given regulatory power to the FDA to reduce nicotine content in tobacco products. Research has been conducted to determine the nicotine reinforcement threshold, a concept designed to specify what level of nicotine content should be allowed by the FDA. Though nicotine content related addiction contributes to the health epidemic, the utilization of nicotine as an appetite suppressant and reluctance to cease use because of this is also a factor. About one-third of college students report that they use nicotine as an appetite supressant. The subsequent weight gain following cessation caused by an increased caloric intake and decrease metabolic rate in commonly reported as a reason for relapse.

Because of the appetite suppressing properties, stimulant use is common associated with malnutrition. Counselors have began to focus on the symptoms of unhealthy stimulant use beyond behavior issues by investigating the physical symptoms that come with stimulant associated malnutrition. Particular drugs of interest are cocaine, amphetamine, and MDMA. Cocaine and amphetamines were reported to be associated with the most significant vitamin deficiencies. Reports conclude that cocaine is commonly associated with depletions of the vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Vitamin B deficiencies can cause decreasing in total motor function, with prominent symptoms of muscle tension, spasms, anemia, cold extremities, poor coordinations, and decrease in energy associated with ATP production. Vitamin C deficiencies can cause decreased immune function, sore gums, tooth decay, poor wound healing, and dry mouth and eyes. Amphetamines are commonly linked to anemia and blood clots.

* (not sure if this is a perfect fit, but I think it deserves a mention because its a common effect from using stimulants as anorectics)*

Metabolism and body weight[edit] -
By reducing the appetite and raising the metabolism, some smokers may lose weight as a consequence. By increasing metabolic rate and inhibiting the usual compensatory increase in appetite, the body weight of smokers is lower on average than that of non-smokers. When smokers quit, they gain on average 5–6 kg weight, returning to the average weight of non-smokers.

[this is under 'adverse effects', I think the weight gain as a result of cessation is an adverse effect, but I don't think that the weight loss associated with nicotine use is adverse.]

Weight loss
The belief that nicotine decreases appetite and promotes weight loss has been investigated in animals and humans. Research has concluded that nicotine effects the melanocortin system (MC) in the brain, which regulates appetite and body weight. Increased activity in MC receptors is shown to promote weight loss and decrease food intake. . (By increasing metabolic rate and inhibiting the usual compensatory increase in appetite, the body weight of smokers is lower on average than that of non-smokers. [their source]). Measuring the effectiveness of nicotine on weight loss in the long term is two-fold. Nicotine use decreases caloric intake. This effect decreases as tolerance builds. Nicotine has also been shown to increase metabolic rate, which stays consistent with use. Nicotine is believed to cause weight loss by lowering the set-point of body weight. Following cessation, the nicotine related weight lost is regained, and the body's set-point is returned to its original bodyweight. (When smokers quit, they gain on average 5–6 kg weight, returning to the average weight of non-smokers.) This effect has been reported to increase the instance of relapse following cessation.