medications for weight loss

Often, when we have new patients enter the Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Program (word of the day: phentermine) after I explain about using the prescription medication, phentermine and our serotonin supplement, I will frequently hear;" I used Phen-Fen in the past and it really worked. I lost lots of weight".

I can assure you that virtually every person who used the combination of phentermine and fenfluramine ("phen-fen") in the past (this was used up until 1997 when the FDA pulled fenfluramine off of the market because of associated heart valve dysfunction.) gained the weight back that they lost.

Why did almost 100% of patients who used this drug combination fail to maintain their weight loss? The answer: Medications do NOT result in permanent weight loss UNLESS there is an associated life style change/behavior modification PERMANENTLY. Obviously, if you are taking medications to reduce your appetitie, you will eat less and lose weight. But, when the medications are finished, the appetite will return and unless you have learned permanent life-style changes, then eating will increase and weight goes back on.

Medications can be used as a "jump-start" but by no means are the marquee feature of any permanent weight loss effort. In our program, we utilize phentermine because we want our patients to have a very aggressive beginning to their weight loss efforts because we have learned that losing lots of weight in the first month psychologically motivates the person to keep very aggressive in their efforts.

Behavior modification is very difficult, yet necessary for the long term control of weight.