| |
Brand |
Generic |
Mechanism of Action |
Common Side Effects |
| Short Term Use: Generally less than 12 months |
Tenuate® |
Diethylproprion |
Exact MOA unknown. Works by stimulating CNS activity (sympathomimetic), which increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases appetite |
Constipation, xerostomia, N/V, BP increase restlessness, abdominal pain, headache |
| Adipex-P®, Suprenza® |
Phentermine |
Exact MOA unknown. Works by stimulating CNS activity (sympathomimetic) |
Palpitation, tachycardia, dizziness, insomnia, headache, tremor, |
| Bontril® |
Phendimetrazine |
Exact MOA unknown. Works by stimulating CNS activity (sympathomimetic) |
Palpitation, tachycardia, HTN, flushing, insomnia, agitation, headache, tolerance |
| Didrex |
Benzphetamine |
Exact MOA unknown. Works by stimulating CNS activity (sympathomimetic) |
Palpitation, tachycardia, BP elevated, restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, tremor |
| Long Term Use |
Xenical®Alli® (OTC) |
Orlistat |
Inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipases, reducing fat absorption |
Oily spotting, fecal urgency, fatty stools, fecal incontinence, headache, fatigue |
| Qysmia® |
Phentermine / Topiramate |
Exact MOA unknown. Phentermine works by stimulating CNS activity, which help decreases appetite while Topiramate works by augmenting GABA activity and blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels |
Paraesthesia, dizziness, dysgeusia (altered taste), insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, speech hesitancy |
| Belviq® |
Lorcaserin |
Decrease food consumption and promote satiety by selectively activating serotonin 2C receptors in the brain |
Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, constipation |
| Off-Label Use: (Non-FDA approval for weight loss) |
Wellbutrin®Zyban® |
Buproprion |
Exact MOA unknown. Inhibits neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, which appears to lead to a reduction in appetite |
Xerostomia, headache, agitation, nausea, dizziness, constipation, tremorBBW: Suicidality |
| Topamax® |
Topiramate |
Exact MOA unknown. Blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, augments GABA activity, antagonizes glutamate receptors, inhibits carbonic anhydrase |
Metabolic acidosis, paresthesia, somnolence, dizziness, weight loss, fatigue, nervousness, ataxia, visual disturbance, speech hesitancy |
| Zonegran® |
Zonisamide |
Exact MOA unknown. Blocks voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels, stabilizing neuronal membranes and suppressing neuronal hyper-synchronization, inhibits carbonic anhydrase |
Somnolence, dizziness, anorexia, nausea, headache, irritability, agitation, fatigue, impaired memory |
| Glucophage®Glumetza®
Fortamet® |
Metformin |
Decreases hepatic glucose production and intestinal glucose absorption; increases insulin sensitivity |
Diarrhea, N/V, flatulence, indigestion
Black Box Warning: Lactic Acidosis |
| Adderall® |
Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine |
Exact MOA unknown. Stimulates CNS activity; block reuptake and increases release of norepinephrine and dopamine in extraneuronal space |
Anorexia, insomnia, headache, emotional lability, nervousness, tremor, visual disturbance
Black Box Warning: Abuse Potential |
| Phase 3 Clinical Trial |
Contrave® |
Buproprion & Naltrexone |
Exact MOA unknown. Buproprion increases level of dopamine activity, which leads to a reduction in appetite by increasing activity of POMC neurons. Naltrexone work byblocking opioid receptors on the POMC neurons |
N/V, constipation, headache, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, diarrhea |