OTC WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS
A local anesthetic like benzocaine is available on OTC as a category-1 medicine. This acts on the nerve endings in the oral cavity to produce numbness and thereby decreases the feeling of taste at the taste buds to some people.
Available for oral use as lozenge, gum, and candy
3.5mg is the dosage form available in order to keep in the mouth for some period before food.e.g.Slim Mint; Diet Aid.
Phenylpropanolamine or PPA is another OTC medicine chemically and action-wise related to amphetamine as an adrenergic agonist. e.g.Dexatrim;Acutrim;Prolamine
It is available as 37.5 mg in an immediate releasing dosage form which should be taken about. 30 min before food
75 mg which is the maximum dose is the approved dose in sustained release dosage forms.
Since PPA is sympathomimetic drug care should be taken by the patients who have heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.
When used in controlled dosage PPA is milder than amphetamines in producing side effects
Other PPA side effects are CNS stimulation such as insomnia, nervousness, and headache
PPA Drugs Interactions
1.Cold and allergic rhinitis medicines
2.Antihypertensive drugs(Antagonizing)
3.Other sympathomimetics(Synergizing)
Other OTC weight-loss medicines are Bulk Laxatives Which by producing a feeling of stomach fullness suppress the hungry.
