Dante Carrillo
Diet pills and weight-loss medication have been around for over a century. Beginning in the late 19th century, attitudes concerning weight, particularly among women, shifted towards a slimmer, more athletic appearance. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier. One of the first weight-loss drugs, dinitrophenol, was first used in munitions factories as an explosive, but after workers who came into contact with it were seen to lose weight, in the 1930s it was sold as antiobesity therapy. However, it was soon found to be incredibly unsafe at high doses, causing blindness and neuropathy, and even death in very high doses. The 1940s marked the beginning of amphetamine use for weight loss, with the drug Benzedrine becoming the diet pill of choice. In the 1950s, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) became popular, and in 1959, the FDA approved phentermine for weight loss. The 1960s saw the popularity of rainbow diet pills, and in the 1970s, Black Beauties was the street name for a combination amphetamine capsule. In the 1980s, fen-phen was a popular miracle drug until it was found to cause valvular heart disease. Today, popular weight-loss medications include Ozempic and Orlistat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popular diet pills | Fen-phen, Ozempic, Obetrol, Adderall, Black Beauties, thyroid hormones, phentermine, Orlistat, Meridia, Qsymia, GLP-1s, semaglutide, dinitrophenol |
| First use | Fen-phen was popular in the 1980s; Obetrol in the 1950s and 1960s; Benzedrine in the 1940s; thyroid hormones in the late 1800s; phentermine was approved in 1959; Orlistat is the latest entry into the market |
| Side effects | Fen-phen was linked to valvular heart disease; Orlistat can cause oily rectal discharge, passing gas with oily discharge, and the urgent need to have a bowel movement; dinitrophenol can cause blindness, neuropathy, and death at high doses |
| Administration | Ozempic is injectable; Orlistat is a pill |
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What You'll Learn
- Fen-phen: a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, linked to heart disease
- Obetrol: a popular amphetamine-based diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s
- Phentermine: an amphetamine analogue approved by the FDA in 1959
- Ozempic: a diabetes drug that suppresses appetite and slows stomach emptying
- Rainbow diet pills: popular in the 1960s, these contained amphetamine and thyroid
Fen-phen: a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, linked to heart disease
Fen-phen was a weight-loss medication that combined two drugs: fenfluramine and phentermine. Phentermine is a type of amphetamine that suppresses appetite by regulating β-adrenergic receptors. Fenfluramine was approved as a weight-loss treatment in 1973, and in 1979, Dr. Michael Weintraub had the idea to combine it with phentermine. The fen-phen combination drug gained rapid popularity in the 1980s due to its synergistic effect on dopamine and serotonin release in the brain.
However, in the 1990s, fen-phen unravelled as the biggest weight-loss drug debacle ever. Evidence emerged that fen-phen caused adverse effects on the heart, including pulmonary hypertension, heart lesions, and valve abnormalities. Specifically, it was found that up to a third of patients taking fen-phen developed valvular heart disease. In 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the prescription of fenfluramine, and fen-phen was voluntarily removed from the market. In total, 175,000 claims were filed against the drug manufacturer, Wyeth, which set aside $21 billion to settle the lawsuits.
Despite the issues with fen-phen, phentermine continues to play an active role in the treatment of obesity. It is currently combined with a medication called topiramate and sold under the brand name Qsymia®. This medication works to reduce hunger and, when combined with physical activity, may help maintain a calorie deficit to support weight loss goals. However, it is important to note that phentermine has been linked to pulmonary hypertension in at least one case report.
The story of fen-phen illustrates the potential dangers of weight-loss drugs and raises questions about the standards for approving and monitoring diet drugs. It also highlights the importance of prioritising health and safety over weight loss.
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Obetrol: a popular amphetamine-based diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s
Obetrol was a popular amphetamine-based diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s. It was a combination of several amphetamine salts, including methamphetamine, indicated for the treatment of exogenous obesity. The drug was originally sold by the American company Obetrol Pharmaceuticals and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 19, 1960.
The history of Obetrol as a diet pill can be traced back to the 1940s when amphetamines first became popular for weight loss. Amphetamines are stimulants that boost energy and decrease appetite. While amphetamines were initially marketed as Benzedrine, Obetrol soon became a popular alternative in the 1950s. During this time, Obetrol was manufactured by Obetrol Pharmaceuticals in Brooklyn, New York.
In the 1960s, Obetrol was marketed in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths through the Obetrol Pharmaceuticals division of the American pharmaceutical company Rexar. When sold directly to physicians, the drug was known by the brand name Oby-Rex. The 10 mg tablets were blue, while the 20 mg tablets were orange, and both were inscribed with the letters "OP".
The popularity of Obetrol and other amphetamine-based diet pills began to decline in the late 1960s due to concerns about their safety. In 1967/1968, a number of deaths attributed to diet pills triggered a Senate investigation and the gradual implementation of greater restrictions on the market. As a result, rainbow diet pills, which included amphetamines, were banned in the United States. Despite this, amphetamines continued to be used for weight loss, with the drug fen-phen becoming popular in the 1980s and 1990s. However, fen-phen was also eventually withdrawn from the market due to adverse effects on the heart, including pulmonary hypertension and valve abnormalities.
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Phentermine: an amphetamine analogue approved by the FDA in 1959
Phentermine, an amphetamine analogue, was approved by the FDA in 1959 as a weight-loss treatment. Phentermine is a central nervous system stimulant that decreases appetite. In the 1990s, it was combined with fenfluramine to create fen-phen, a short-lived medication due to evidence linking it to valvular heart disease. Phentermine was voluntarily removed from the market in 1997 but still plays an active role in obesity treatment today.
The approval of phentermine in 1959 marked a turning point in weight-loss treatments, as it was the first modern-day medical treatment for obesity. Prior to this, weight-loss treatments included plants, berries, and natural remedies that induced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In the late 1800s, physicians also used thyroid hormones to treat obesity, which were originally intended for people with underactive thyroids.
The use of amphetamines for weight loss began in the 1930s with Benzedrine, an amphetamine marketed as a decongestant. During World War II, the military in several countries purchased Benzedrine to enhance soldiers' performance on the battlefield. After the war, the drug was marketed to housewives as a weight-loss aid, sparking an amphetamine-fuelled race to thinness.
In the 1950s, Obetrol, a combination of amphetamine mixed salts and methamphetamine, became a popular diet pill in America. It was approved by the FDA in 1960 and was marketed for the treatment of exogenous obesity. In the 1960s, "rainbow diet pills" emerged, which were a combination of multiple pills taken throughout the day, including stimulants, thyroid hormones, diuretics, digitalis, laxatives, and sometimes barbiturates to suppress the side effects of the stimulants.
Despite the popularity of these amphetamine-based weight-loss treatments, they carried risks of addiction and adverse effects, including death. Today, there are alternative prescription weight-loss medications, such as semaglutide, liraglutide, naltrexone/bupropion, orlistat, and tirzepatide, which are approved by the FDA for weight management in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
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Ozempic: a diabetes drug that suppresses appetite and slows stomach emptying
Diet pills and weight-loss medication have been around for over a century. In the 1940s, amphetamines were used for weight loss, with the drug Benzedrine becoming the diet pill of choice. Amphetamines boost energy and decrease appetite, but they also have a high potential for addiction. Obetrol, a combination of amphetamine and methamphetamine, was another popular diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1970s, "Black Beauties" was the street name for a combination amphetamine capsule containing 10mg. During this time, over-the-counter appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) also gained popularity. In 1973, fenfluramine was approved as a weight-loss treatment, and in 1976, phendimetrazine tartrate (PDM) was approved for the treatment of obesity.
In the 1980s, the combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, known as fen-phen, became a popular "miracle" weight-loss medication. However, it was soon linked to valvular heart disease and was removed from the market in 1997.
Today, Ozempic has gained popularity as a weight-loss medication. Ozempic is a drug typically used to treat type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. It mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. It also slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, making it an effective off-label medication for weight loss. The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which has become highly sought after, even by those without diabetes.
While Ozempic has been hailed as a "silver bullet" for weight loss, it is important to note that the history of diet pills is long and sometimes deadly. It is crucial to prioritize health and safety when considering weight-loss medications and to consult with a healthcare professional to weigh the benefits and risks.
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Rainbow diet pills: popular in the 1960s, these contained amphetamine and thyroid
The perception of beauty has changed over time, with a shift towards a slimmer, more athletic appearance beginning in the late 19th century. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier. One of the first popular weight-loss drugs was dinitrophenol, which was initially used in munitions factories as an explosive. In the 1930s, it was sold as an "anti-obesity therapy" after people who came into contact with it were observed to lose weight. However, it was soon discovered to be highly unsafe, causing side effects such as blindness and neuropathy, and even leading to death in very high doses.
In the 1940s, amphetamines became popular for weight loss, marketed as Benzedrine. These drugs worked by suppressing appetite and increasing alertness. However, medical professionals soon discovered that amphetamines had a high potential for addiction. Despite this, the use of amphetamines for weight loss continued to increase, with Obetrol becoming a popular diet pill in America in the 1950s and 1960s. Obetrol was a combination of amphetamine mixed salts and methamphetamine.
In the 1960s, "rainbow diet pills" were a popular weight-loss trend. These pills were a combination of multiple pills, taken throughout the day, and typically included stimulants such as amphetamines, as well as thyroid hormones, diuretics, digitalis, laxatives, and sometimes a barbiturate to suppress the side effects of the stimulants. While rainbow diet pills were banned in the US in the late 1960s due to a number of deaths, they reappeared in South America and Europe in the 1980s.
The use of amphetamines and other stimulants for weight loss has had a long and controversial history, with many people prioritising weight loss over health and safety. Today, there are still concerns about the safety and effectiveness of weight-loss drugs, with many being banned or withdrawn from the market due to adverse effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Benzedrine, a type of amphetamine, was the diet pill of choice in the 1940s.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was a popular diet pill in the 1950s.
Obetrol, a combination of amphetamine and methamphetamine, was a popular diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s.
"Black Beauties" was the street name for a combination amphetamine capsule/tablet that was popular in the 1970s.
Fen-phen, a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, was a popular diet pill in the 1980s and 1990s.
