Tesofensine | Medical-Weight-Loss-Guide.com

Tesofensine is an experimental weight loss drug that recently underwent a phase II clinical trial. It works by blocking the reuptake of nerve signals in the synapse. The particular nerve signals are norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. By keeping these signals in the synapse longer, it mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (i.e. the fight or flight response). The diet pills sibutramine, phentermine, bupropion, and several others work in the same manner.

In initial studies on animals, tesofensine was found to be safe and effective. In patients with Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease, it produced an unintended weight loss.

After 6 months, people taking 0.25 mg daily lost 4.5% more weight than placebo while 0.5 mg and 1 mg produced and extra 9.2% and 10.6%, respectively over placebo. This weight was deemed to be mainly due to decreased body fat. This amount, which averages out to about 22 lbs after 6 months, is nearly double that of currently approved weight loss medicines. At the 0.5 mg and below doses, tesofensine does not appear the have many more side effects than current weight loss drugs.

Some more positive side effects include improved vigor and activity, as well as a better quality of life, mainly from improved self-esteem and physical activity. Blood sugar levels were slightly improved.

At a higher dose (1mg vs. 0.5 mg), side effects were increased but weight loss was basically the same. Taking more than 0.5 mg appears to increase risk without adding any benefit. In fact, the 1 mg dose caused an increase in blood pressure, whereas the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses did not seem to have effects on blood pressure.

Heart rate increased as the dosage increased, and it was somewhat more than sibutramine's effects. The 1 mg dose also increased anger and hostility. The 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses caused some confusion. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal: dry mouth, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, hard feces, and diarrhea. Insomnia, sleep disturbance, mood changes, and dizziness can occur, particularly at the high dose.

After stopping tesofensine, people gained back a portion of the weight they lost.

This is still an experimental drug, and larger studies will need to be done to fully assess its weight loss effects and safety.

It is important you discuss any weight loss or exercise plan with your doctor. Only you and your physician can decide what is best for you. Some people have certain conditions that prevent them from doing all exercises, and goal body weights may be different for different people. You need to discuss all these things with your physician before starting any weight loss or exercise program. In addition, the dosage of any medicine may be different if it is used for weight loss and not its FDA approved indication. You should also discuss this with your doctor.