An anorectic or anorexic is a

drug A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via insuffla ...

which reduces

appetite Appetite is the desire to eat food items, usually due to hunger. Appealing foods can stimulate appetite even when hunger is absent, although appetite can be greatly reduced by satiety. Appetite exists in all higher life-forms, and serves to regu ...

, resulting in lower food consumption, leading to weight loss. By contrast, an appetite stimulant is referred to as orexigenic. The term is (from the Greek ''ἀν-'' (an-) = "without" and ''ὄρεξις'' (órexis) = "appetite"), and such drugs are also known as anorexigenic, anorexiant, or appetite suppressant.

History

Used on a short-term basis clinically to treat obesity, some appetite suppressants are also available over-the-counter. Most common natural appetite suppressants are based on '' Hoodia'', a genus of 13 species in the flowering plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. Several appetite suppressants are based on a mix of natural ingredients, mostly using green tea as its basis, in combination with other plant extracts such as fucoxanthin, found naturally in seaweed.

Drugs A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalat ...

of this class are frequently

stimulant Stimulants (also often referred to as psychostimulants or colloquially as uppers) is an overarching term that covers many drugs including those that increase activity of the central nervous system and the body, drugs that are pleasurable and inv ...

s of the

phenethylamine Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace amin ...

family, related to

amphetamine Amphetamine (contracted from alpha- methylphenethylamine) is a strong central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. It is also commonly used ...

. The German and Finnish :fi:Pervitiini militaries issued amphetamines to soldiers commonly to enhance warfare during the Second World War. Following the war, amphetamines were redirected for use on the civilian market. Indeed, amphetamine itself was sold commercially as an appetite suppressant until it was outlawed in most parts of the world in the late 1950s because of safety issues. Many amphetamines produce side effects, including addiction, tachycardia and

hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

, making prolonged unsupervised use dangerous.

Public health concerns

Epidemics of fatal pulmonary hypertension and heart valve damage associated with pharmaceutical anorectic agents have led to the withdrawal of products from the market. This was the case with aminorex in the 1960s, and again in the 1990s with fenfluramine (''see:'' Fen-phen). Likewise, association of the related appetite suppressant phenylpropanolamine with hemorrhagic

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request its withdrawal from the market in the United States in 2000, and similar concerns regarding ephedrine resulted in an FDA ban on its inclusion in dietary supplements in 2004. A Federal judge later overturned this ban in 2005 during a challenge by supplement maker Nutraceuticals. It is also debatable as to whether the ephedrine ban had more to do with its use as a precursor in

methamphetamine Methamphetamine (contracted from ) is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity. Methamph ...

manufacture rather than health concerns with the ingredient as such.

Non-pharmacological alternatives

Weight loss effects of water Water is known to have an impact on human body weight. Since water contains zero calories, consuming it with meals reduces total energy intake and aids in weight loss, particularly if it is taken instead of calorific drinks, such as juice or sof ...

have been subject to some scientific research as a potential non-pharmacological approach. Drinking water prior to each meal may help in appetite suppression. Consumption of 500 mL (approximately 17 fl oz) of water 30 minutes before meals has been correlated with modest weight loss (1–2 kg) in obese men and women over a period of 8 to 12 weeks.

List of anorectics

Numerous pharmaceutical compounds are marketed as appetite suppressants. The following drugs are listed as "centrally-acting antiobesity preparations" in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System: *

Amfepramone Amfepramone, also known as diethylpropion, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone classes that is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in the short-term management of obesity, along with dietary and lifestyl ...

(also known as diethylpropion) *

Bupropion Bupropion, sold under the brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban among others, is an atypical antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and to support smoking cessation. It is also popular as an add-on medication in the case ...

and naltrexone (combination) *

Cathine -norpseudoephedrine, also known as cathine and (+)-norpseudoephedrine, is a psychoactive drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes which acts as a stimulant. Along with cathinone, it is found naturally in '' Catha edulis'' (kha ...

Clobenzorex Clobenzorex (Asenlix, Dinintel, Finedal, Rexigen) is a stimulant drug of the amphetamine chemical class used as an appetite suppressant. The drug is legally distributed in Mexico under the trade name Asenlix by Aventis. Chemically, clobenzor ...

* Dexfenfluramine^† (the D-enantiomer of fenfluramine; withdrawn for the same reason as its racemate) * Ephedrine (combinations) * Etilamfetamine * Fenfluramine^† (one of the two components

he other being phentermine He or HE may refer to: Language * He (pronoun), an English pronoun * He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ * He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets * He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' in ...

of Fen-phen. Since discontinued to its potential for causing valvulopathies and pulmonary hypertension) * Lorcaserin (withdrawn in the United States by the FDA due to an increased risk of cancer) *

Mazindol Mazindol (brand names Mazanor, Sanorex) is a stimulant drug which is used as an appetite suppressant. It was developed by Sandoz Laboratories, Sandoz-Wander in the 1960s. Medical uses Mazindol is used in short-term (i.e., a few weeks) treatment ...

Mefenorex Mefenorex (Rondimen, Pondinil, Anexate) is a stimulant drug which was used as an appetite suppressant. It is an amphetamine derivative which was developed in the 1970s and used for the treatment of obesity Obesity is a medical conditio ...

* Phentermine * Sibutramine^† (in some countries withdrawn from the market because of concerns regarding its cardiovascular effects) * Topiramate The following are listed as appetite depressants by MeSH, an index of medical journal articles and books. * Benfluorex (removed from the market by the EMA due to increased risk of heart disease) * Butenolide *

Diethylpropion Amfepramone, also known as diethylpropion, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone classes that is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in the short-term management of obesity, along with dietary and lifestyl ...

* FG-7142 * Phenmetrazine^† (withdrawn in some countries due to the danger of addiction) * Phentermine * Phenylpropanolamine *

Pyroglutamyl-histidyl-glycine Pyroglutamyl-histidyl-glycine (pEHG) is an endogenous tripeptide that acts as a tissue-specific antimitotic and selectively inhibits the proliferation of colon epithelial cells. Early research indicated that pEHG had anorectic effects in mice and ...

* Sibutramine Other compounds with known appetite suppressant activity include: * Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine is known to hamper appetite. Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine is used to treat Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is usually under the trade name "Adderall" or "Mydayis". *

Amphetamine Amphetamine (contracted from alpha- methylphenethylamine) is a strong central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. It is also commonly used ...

sulfate (also known as amfetamine) – US FDA-approved for the treatment of

exogenous obesity Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it may negatively affect health. People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's we ...

under the brand name "Evekeo". * Methylphenidate * Cocaine * Caffeine * Glucomannan *

Leptin Leptin (from Ancient Greek, Greek λεπτός ''leptos'', "thin" or "light" or "small") is a hormone predominantly made by adipose cells and enterocytes in the small intestine that helps to regulate Energy homeostasis, energy balance by inhib ...

Methamphetamine Methamphetamine (contracted from ) is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity. Methamph ...

hydrochloride – USFDA-approved for the treatment of obesity (as a short-term) under the brand name "Desoxyn". *

Nicotine Nicotine is a naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants (most predominantly in tobacco and ''Duboisia hopwoodii'') and is widely used recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As a pharmaceutical drug, it is used fo ...

* Liraglutide as brand name Saxenda *

Semaglutide Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and as anti-obesity medication for long-term weight management, developed by Novo Nordisk in 2012. S ...

(brand name Ozempic/Wegovy) GLP-1 agonist * Opiates/

opioids Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, replacement therapy for opioid use ...

such as

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

, morphine,

codeine Codeine is an opiate and prodrug of morphine mainly used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug. It is found naturally in the sap of the opium poppy, ''Papaver somniferum''. It is typically use ...

, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.

References

External links