History
Phentermine is one of the medical marvels of the last century. It is easy to look down on the technology and believe nothing produced in those primitive days could possibly be of value today. Yet Phentermine received its approval from the FDA in 1959 and it remains as effective today as it was the day it was approved.
The chemistry behind Acomplia was first described in 1994 and, after extensive development work and long clinical trials, the drug received its approval in 2006. It was quickly adopted by the medical profession as an excellent way of controlling appetite. Because it works by breaking the link between pleasure and some aspects of human behavior, it is also used to help people quit smoking.
What is the effect of Phentermine and Acomplia?
Both drugs are appetite suppressants. This means they do not melt fat away. You have to do that for yourself by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. This reflects the inconvenient truth that the only way to lose weight is to eat less and cut out high-fat foods. Unfortunately, we all like the taste of high-fat foods and, when starting a diet, it is too easy to fall prey to those cravings for just one more chocolate. Both Phentermine and Acomplia help control those cravings. If you do not feel hungry between meals, you can cut out those sweet and salty snacks, and focus on smaller portions of healthy foods for your main meals.
How do they work?
Phentermine has an immediate and direct effect on the brain by triggering the release of norepinephrine, one of the neurotransmitters used to carry messages from one part of the brain to another. It also instructs the body’s endocrine system to release both norepinephrine and adrenaline. The combined effect is to heighten alertness. In early human history, these were the active chemicals connected with the fight-or-flight reflex. If we are considering the possibility of running away or standing to fight, the last thing on our minds is food. Despite the name, club sandwiches are not on the menu, and hunger is suppressed.
Acomplia is a cannabinoid receptor antagonist. In English, this is a drug that blocks those bits of the brain operating the reward system. When we eat or drink something the body likes, we get a reward. Chemicals are released in the brain to give us pleasure and encourage us to eat or drink the same things in the future. Our bodies like a range of different substances and, as a label, they are called cannabinoids, i.e. they act in the same way as cannabis (the street drug approved for distribution in some states for medicinal purposes). Acomplia blocks the receptors, i.e. those bits of the brain that would recognize the cannabinoids. That means we get no pleasurable reward when we eat or drink the body’s favorites. This makes life rather dull, but it is easier not to think about chocolate and all the other foods we like to eat.
Which should you pick?
This is not a choice you should make without first talking through the options with your doctor. Both drugs are highly effective but, in fairness, both need quite careful management to get the best results. Because of the fight-or-flight release of adrenaline, Phentermine may increase the blood pressure and the heart rate. It can cause difficulty in sleeping and, if used over a longer period of time, may cause psychological dependence. Acomplia can make life seem slightly uninteresting. If you have a healthy and positive view of the world, this is not a problem. But if you have a tendency to feel sad or depressed, this drug can make the world seem more dark.
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