Suprenza
Brand Name(s): Adipex-P, Oby-Cap, Suprenza, T-Diet, Zantryl
Medically reviewed by Ahmed Zayed, MD on June 19, 2018
In just one decade, the prevalence of type III obesity increased by more than 70% among adults in the United States1. At the rate that the prevalence of obesity is currently rising, it has been estimated that as much as 20% of the worldwide population will be obese by 20302. While thousands of options are available when it comes to taking a drug or supplement to assist with obesity, only an insignificant number of these options have proven to be effective.
Suprenza is a drug that has been developed with chemically-produced active compounds to provide a pharmaceutical approach to the treatment of overweight and obesity in the population. This drug is obtained after a thorough examination by a physician and cannot be purchased over-the-counter, as a prescription is required for the release of this drug to a patient.
Suprenza is manufactured by a pharmaceutical brand known as Akrimax. The announcement of its release was made in May 20123, making this one of the newer options on the market for obese patients looking for a way to lose weight more effectively.
How Does Suprenza Work?
Suprenza contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient phentermine, a drug that has become quite popular in the modern-day healthcare system. This drug acts upon the central nervous system of the patient’s body to help reduce their appetite4. By reducing the patient’s appetite, the drug is able to help the patient better control their portions during the main meals of the day, as well as to assist with eliminating mid-day cravings. Binge eating due to cravings lead to excess weight gain, which causes existing efforts put into place for the management of obesity to become wasteful.
Is Suprenza Effective For Weight Reduction?
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on modern-day drugs that may assist with treating obesity in patients that have a BMI of 27 or higher, depending on their risk factors for associated diseases, as well as their current health status. Phentermine is often one of the primary drugs used in these studies. It is also one of the oldest pharmaceutical agents that have been used to treat obesity.
One study5 found that, when combined with an effective weight management plan, phentermine can reduce total bodyweight in both men and women significantly within a relatively small period of time. The study was conducted over a 12-week period. Women lost an average of 7.4% bodyweight. Men had an average reduction in their bodyweight of 7.8% after the 12-week study was completed.
What Side-Effects Can Suprenza Cause?
While proven to be effective, drugs containing phentermine, like Suprenza, are not suitable for everyone. Additionally, patients need to be aware that it is very likely to experience a variety of side-effects while they are taking this drug. Some scientists and healthcare professionals have raised a concern about the use of phentermine possibly causing addiction. Scientific results regarding this topic are mixed. One study6 did note that amphetamine seems to be more likely to cause addictive behaviors in patients as phentermine, but the chemical structure of these two pharmaceutical agents do possess some similarities, so patients are advised to use the drug under close supervision from the prescribing physician.
Possible side-effects associated with the use of Suprenza (Phentermine) include7:
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Uneven heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Restlessness
- Sleeping difficulties
Can Suprenza Be Used By Pregnant Women?
Phentermine has been associated with possible complications during pregnancy, including harm to the fetus. For this reason, patients are usually advised to discontinue the use of Suprenza should they become pregnant while on this drug.
Can Suprenza Be Used With Alcohol?
It is vital that all patients who are prescribed Suprenza seize the use of alcohol straight away until they are taken off this drug. Serious interactions have been noted between this drug and alcohol, which may lead to harmful reactions in the patient’s body.
Who Should Not Use Suprenza?
Due to the physiological effects and potential side-effects of Suprenza, a number of patients are advised not to use this drug or any other pharmaceutical drug that contains the active ingredient phentermine. Individuals with hypertension, as well as those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, should first speak to their physician before considering the use of this drug to aid in their weight loss efforts. The physician will be able to determine if this would be an appropriate drug and whether or not the drug may impose complications with the existing diseases that the patient is affected by.
Patients diagnosed with heart disease are also advised to avoid using this drug as it may cause further damage to their heart.
Due to some scientific publications announcing possible addictive behavior in patients who use drugs that contain phentermine, it is also advised that a patient should instead opt for an alternative solution if they have previously struggled with substance abuse and drug addictions.
Conclusion
Suprenza is indicated for the pharmaceutical treatment of obesity in patients with a BMI that puts them at risk of certain diseases. This is a unique brand of phentermine that offers a different administration solution than most other options containing this active ingredient. While the drug has been proven to be effective in assisting obese individuals to lower their total body weight, potential side-effects can become harmful.
PhenterPro is one of the best alternatives to Suprenza. Similar to Suprenza, this weight management pill also utilizes ingredients that are known to suppress the appetite of the user effectively but has not been linked to some of the more serious side-effects that patients often report while they take drugs that contain phentermine.
References
1 R. Sturm and A. Hattori. Morbid Obesity Rates Continue to Rise Rapidly in the US. HHS Public Access. 1 August 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3527647/
2 K.B. Smith and M.S. Smith. Obesity Statistics. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 12 January 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26896205
3 Suprenza ODT Now Available for Obesity Management. MPR. 23 May 2012. https://www.empr.com/news/suprenza-odt-now-available-for-obesity-management/article/242521/
4 J.G. Kang and C.Y. Park. Anti-Obesity Drugs: A Review about Their Effects and Safety. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 17 February 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3283822/
5 Multiple Authors. Body weight loss with phentermine alone versus phentermine and fenfluramine with very-low-calorie diet in an outpatient obesity management program: a retrospective study. Journal of Current Therapeutic Research. July 2003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4053043/
6 Multiple Authors. Addiction Potential of Phentermine prescribed during Long-term treatment of Obesity (APPLO Trial). ResearchGate. May 2013. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237056430_Addiction_Potential_of_Phentermine_prescribed_during_Long-term_treatment_of_Obesity_APPLO_Trial
7 Phentermine (By mouth). PubMed Health. 1 June 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0011706/?report=details#side_effects