It is becoming more common for children, adolescents and teenagers to incorporate diet drugs into their efforts to lose weight, according to a new study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

About 75 percent of surveyed youth were found to be using orlistat (brand name: Alli), a drug that has been associated with liver damage.

Using data from the General Practice Research Database, researchers at University College London, found the number of young people receiving prescriptions for anti-obesity drugs increased 15 times since 1999. However, most young people said that they stopped using these medications after a few months.

Labels: research, medications, drugs

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Increasing numbers of young women are using Adderall to lose weight, according to an article in Allure Magazine. Author Judith Newman wrote that the fad for using a common drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for weight loss began in Hollywood.

"When a high-profile celeb suddenly drops a lot of weight, the rumors start that she is on 'A,'" said Kym Douglas, author of The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets. "It isn't a secret among top stylists and makeup artists who work with celebrities."

It is uncertain how Adderall works, except that it somehow inhibits the uptake of three brain chemicals - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - so that they remain in synapses longer. Like all stimulants, Adderall causes a feeling of euphoria and a loss of appetite.

Some pediatricians are already prescribing it to obese children.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist in Oak Lawn, Illinois, said that 90 percent of young patients on Adderall lost weight. He believes the side effects of Adderall - headache, irritability, mood swings, and increased heart rate - are not as bad as putting children at risk for diabetes and other problems because they are overweight.

Adderall is relatively easy for teens to obtain either through friends who have prescriptions for it or from illegal Internet pharmacies. Some use it not only for weight loss, but also to get high. By crushing and grinding time-released Adderall, they receive a bigger "rush" and maximum appetite suppression.

Labels: drugs, adderall

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The prescription drug Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and hyperactivity, but people who struggle with eating disorders have begun using the drug for weight loss. This type of misuse is dangerous - and potentially deadly.

"While it is a stimulant, it has a calming effect on patients. But if abused, it can raise blood pressure and heart rate - which can be fatal."

Dr. Mary Tantillo, director of the Eating Disorder Center at the University of Rochester, has seen this type of drug abuse in her patients. Taken in high doses, Adderall has effects similar to cocaine, with the same potential for lethal overdoses. Source: WHAM Channel 13 News (NY)

Labels: drugs, adhd, abuse

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Increasing numbers of young women are using Adderall to lose weight, according to an article in Allure magazine. Author Judith Newman wrote that the fad for using a drug that is commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder as a means to weight loss began in Hollywood.

"When a high-profile celeb suddenly drops a lot of weight, the rumors start that she is on 'A,'" said Kym Douglas, author of The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets. "It isn't a secret among top stylists and makeup artists who work with celebrities."

It is uncertain how Adderall works, except that it somehow inhibits the uptake of three brain chemicals - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Like all stimulants, Adderall causes a feeling of euphoria and a loss of appetite.

Some pediatricians are already prescribing it to their obese young patients.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist in Oak Lawn, Illinois, said that 90 percent of young patients on Adderall lost weight. He believes the side effects of Adderall - such as headache, irritability, mood swings, and increased heart rate - are not as bad as putting children at risk for diabetes and other problems because they are overweight.

Adderall is relatively easy for teens to obtain either through friends who have prescriptions for it or from illegal Internet pharmacies. Some use it not only for weight loss but also to get high. By crushing and grinding time-released Adderall capsules, they receive a bigger "rush" and maximum appetite suppression.

Labels: media_influences, medications, drugs

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A team of researchers from McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, has discovered that the Alzheimer's drug Memantine may help curb binge eating episodes in people who suffer from the disorder.

"In their study, [study chief Dr. Brian] Brennan's team had 16 binge eaters take Memantine for 12 weeks. With treatment, the average number of binges per week fell significantly from 5.5 to 1.2 and the number of binge days per week dropped from 4.4 to 1.1, which was also significant."

The study also found that although binge episodes were reduced, the drug did not have an effect on body weight, depressive mood, or anxiety. Source: Reuters Health

Labels: medications, drugs, binge_eating

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The web referral database recoveryconnection.org has begun offering help for patients who are struggling with eating disorders.

"Previously only catering to those seeking treatment for drug addiction or alcohol detox, the referral database has been upgraded to include the latest information for those seeking treatment for anorexia, bulimia, compulsive/binge eating, and other eating-related disorders."

If left untreated, eating disorders can lead to serious health issues, and can even cause death. Read more online.

Labels: treatment, support, drugs

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The FDA recently approved the drug Alli for use as an over-the-counter diet drug. Some are concerned that the pill may be abused by people with eating disorders.

"Because it's been approved by the FDA, people think it's safe. But if patients are already at a healthy weight and are using Alli as part of their eating disorder, then it is not safe."

Alli contains the same ingredients as the prescription drug Xenical, but at half the dosage - which is why it can be sold over the counter. It works by blocking the bodys absorption of fat. Read more at NewsWise.com.

Teen abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise and parents need to be aware of the signs. Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com to learn more about Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

Labels: dieting, drugs, pills

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments