1. Anorexiants (drugs that work on chemicals in the brain)

a. Amphetamines

1. 1. Benzphetamine (Didrex)
2. 2. Diethylpriopion (Tenuate ; Tenuate Dospan )
3. 3. Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
4. 4. Phentermine (Adipex; Adipex-P or Ionamin )

b. Sibutramine (Meridia )

2. Lipase Inhibitors (drugs that prevent fat from being absorbed into the bloodstream)

a. Orlistat (Xenical)

Drugs that work in the brain are considered appetite suppressants. Amphetamines are approved for use in treating other diseases; their use as a weight loss drug is considered “off label” or not approved. Doctors often prescribe drugs for “off-label” use, meaning that the drug is used at a different dose, for a longer time, or for a different medical condition than was approved by the FDA. Off-label prescribing is a common, and legal, practice.

Amphetamines, which have appetite-suppressing effects, are approved by the FDA for weight loss, but only for short-term use (12 weeks or less). Only a handful of studies have evaluated their use for periods longer than six months. Scientists do not fully understand how amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs work. It is believed that these drugs cause the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, two chemical messengers that control hunger, in the brain. In addition, it is thought that amphetamines decrease the sharpness of a person’s senses of smell and taste, which ultimately results in appetite-suppressing properties.

Another benefit of amphetamines is that they allow someone who is obese or overweight the opportunity and time to learn proper weight loss techniques, such as diet and exercise. Because they are addictive, amphetamines are not often recommended for use in weight loss. Amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs only bring about a very small amount of weight loss (3–8% decrease in weight when compared to placebo). So, since amphetamines are addictive and not very effective for long-term weight control, they are not recommended for weight loss.

Amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs only bring about a very small amount of weight loss. The usual weight loss that occurs is only 5 to 10 pounds. Often, the weight loss effects only last for a few weeks. The way these drugs help induce weight loss is by providing the patient the time and opportunity he or she needs to learn proper weight loss techniques.

The office of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation of the ministry of health and family welfare asked the companies to stop manufacturing the drug and recall the available products in the market. The need to ban the drug was also raised at a recent meeting of the Drug Coordination Committee and the Drug Technical Advisory Body, though no drastic side-effects of the drug were reported in the country.

Confirming the move, an official at the office of the DTAB said, “as a precautionary measure, the government suspended the drug after it was stopped in European nations”. Rimonabant is a patented drug from pharma giant Sanofi Aventis and is sold under various names like Slimona, Acomplia, Monaslim, Bethin, Riobant, Rimoslim or Zimulti.

Some of the companies manufacturing the drug are Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Zydus Cadila and Torrent Pharmaceuticals among others. Speaking to TOI on condition of anonymity, an executive of a generic firm confirmed that they had received a letter from the FDA “banning the drug”.

The drug has been under a cloud in Europe and the US, and was not approved by the US FDA for use in the United States, though it was licensed for general use in Britain.

Officials at DCGI confirmed that the drug had been banned on the recommendation of European drug regulators.

“FDA personnel in India would work closely with Indian regulators and Indian industries shipping products to the US FDA personnel would do more inspections in India,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael O Leavitt.

“They would also work with government and private sector to establish third-party certification programs,” Leavitt said in Washington on Wednesday according the Department of Health and Human Services.

Leavitt said he would travel to China in November to meet with Chinese health officials to review their mutual efforts to ensure the safety of food and medical products consumed by Americans. The first FDA overseas office would, however, opened in China to be followed soon by India.

He said: “The first office (in India) will be in New Delhi. The location of a second is still undecided, but we are looking at Mumbai. We’ve begun seeking the approval of the Indian government for these postings.” Plans are to post 10 US FDA officials in India.

“We’re making steady progress to better safeguard our supply of food and medicines, though much work remains,” Leavitt said. “In the past year, we’ve upgraded labs and equipment, hired additional staff, and begun implementing product safety agreements with key trading partners, including China.

Increasing US presence overseas, Leavitt said will provide greater protections to American consumers at home and benefit our host countries as well. “Opening these offices will mark a key milestone in the globalization of our efforts to enhance the safety of imported food and medical products,” he said.