Weight loss pill

Weight loss pills can be divided into three groups:

1. Those which reduce food intake.
   Monoamines acting on noradrenergic receptors, serotonin receptors, dopamine receptors and histamine receptors can reduce food intake. A number of peptides also affect food intake. Drugs Tenuate (Diethylpropion), Phentermine, Didrex and Phendimetrazine are approved for short-term use. Sibutramine, a norepinephrine-serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, is approved for long-term use.
2. Those which alter metabolism.
   Xenical or Alli - the over-the-counter version of Xenical, inhibits pancreatic lipase and can block 30% of triglyceride hydrolysis in subjects eating a 30% fat diet.
3. Those which increase thermogenesis.
   The only thermogenic drug combination that has been tested is ephedrine and caffeine, but this treatment has not been approved by regulating agencies. Leptin is currently in clinical trials and other drugs that may modulate peptide-feeding systems are being developed.