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You are here: Home / Current Events / Is “Combo Pilling” for Weight Loss a Good Idea?

Is “Combo Pilling” for Weight Loss a Good Idea?

March 9, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus

While watching the news this morning, I was alerted to the practice of “combo-pilling,” taking supposedly unrelated medications together to produce more powerful results toward a desired outcome. Combo-pilling diet drugs went mainstream in the 1980s, with the pairing of phentermine and fenfluramine (later known as “fen-phen”). This pairing, as well as a commercial related version, was heralded as the first effective weight loss drug treatment. Later, when it was discovered that the commercial drug was associated with potentially fatal pulmonary hypertension and heart-valve problems, it was withdrawn from the market and the manufacturer was sued to the tune of more than ten billion dollars.

Combo-pilling remains, in part because single diet drugs have not yielded the results many seek. After sibutramine (Meridia) was removed from market late last year, the only FDA-approved drug for treating obesity for more than a few weeks is orlistat. However, if dieters eat fat-heavy meals, the results are some less-than-pleasant side effects (oily stains on one’s underwear, being one).

So combo-pilling continues.

Of late, the blend of Topomax, an anticonvulsant approved for the treatment of epilepsy and migraines; and phentermine, the above referenced appetite suppressant, are making their way into the collective dieters’ consciousness. It appears that Topomax effectively “shuts off” the desire to eat. When combined with phentermine, the results can be downright staggering. I monitored some on-line discussion groups and found it not uncommon for participants to claim weight losses of four or five pounds a week for extended periods. (A healthy sustainable weight loss is considered to be one to two pounds per week.)

Using medicine for what it is not intended is called “off-label” use. Although no official data exist as to the extent of this practice, a March 2009 study published in Obesity found that 65 percent of weight specialists belonging to the American Society of Bariatric Physicians who responded to a survey do indeed prescribe “off-label” combinations. The practice is legal; in fact, according to a 2006 analysis in the Archives of Internal Medicine, approximately 20 percent of common adult drugs are prescribed as such. (Since the drug is approved and on the market, physicians may use it as they see fit.)

While some doctors are unconcerned, many are raising red flags, pointing out that these medical “cocktails” might be taken for years, causing long-term adverse interactions and unexpected side effects. Since the FDA is not monitoring such usage, authorities might never find out about such problems; and even if they do, it could lead to catastrophic results for those experimenting with untested combinations.

Referencing the aforementioned Internet discussions, the danger seems to be of little concern to some who insist on doing “whatever it takes” to achieve their correct weight; consequences be damned. Said one post, “I started … one week ago and I’ve lost eight pounds already. I agree with the post above that this may not be ‘healthy’ weight loss, but being overweight isn’t healthy either. If this gets me to a healthy weight, then so be it.” Alarming, isn’t it?

Of greater concern to me is not the threat of obesity, but that being overweight is considered such a stigma and so abhorrent that some would literally risk life and limb to drop pounds. If it is indeed so vital to lose the weight, wouldn’t it seem like it might be important enough to rearrange one’s life to eat a less and walk a little more? It’s a slower process, yes; but the worst side effects in that situation are a growling belly and sore feet.

Looking for a safe (and fun) way to stay motivated while you lose weight?

Pick up a few copies of “151 Easy Things You Can Try Before You Give Up On Your Diet”

151 Weight Loss TipsWant to know how to lose weight? It’s simple. 

1) Eat a little less than you normally would
2) Walk a little more than you used to
3) Wait five minutes before eating
4) Repeat as necessary until desired weight is achieved

See, you already knew that, right?

The problem isn’t that we don’t know how to lose weight, the problem is that we forget to do what needs to be done – or we get overwhelmed with how much work we think it will take, and therefore don’t do anything.

This fun pamphlet is the ticket you need to stay motivated. (Buy a bunch; your friends need motivation too.)

(click on the book cover to read some of the tips)

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Filed Under: Current Events, Diet, Health, Motivational Products, Newspaper Column, Weight Loss Tagged With: anticonvulsant, appetite suppressant, combo pilling, diet drugs, dieters, effective weight loss, fda approved drug, fen phen, heart valve problems, migraines, off label use, orlistat, pulmonary hypertension, topomax, treatment of epilepsy, weight loss booklet

Comments

  1. MichaelJeffersonpatty says

    September 6, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Really beneficial thanks, I do think your trusty audience may want significantly more information like this continue the great work.

    Reply

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