Ephedrine as an anorectic: the story of the 'Elsinore pill'.

Abstract

Obese patients, age 18-60 years, overweight 20-80 per cent, entered a controlled, clinical study comparing the effects of two anorectic drugs, ie a prescription containing ephedrine and caffein ('Elsinore pills') and diethylpropion, with placebo. All 132 patients were instructed in a 1200-kcal diet, and 108 patients completed 12 weeks' treatment. There was a significantly better effect on body weight of diethylpropion (39 patients, median weight loss 8.4 kg, P less than 0.01) as well as of 'Elsinore pills' (38 patients, median weight loss 8.1 kg, P less than 0.01) compared to the effect of placebo treatment ( 31 patients, median weight loss 4.1 kg). Four patients treated with diethylpropion, and four patients treated with 'Elsionore pills' were withdrawn because of complaints of exaltation, tremor and insomnia. Tremor, in some cases only transient, was significantly more frequent in the 'Elsinore pill' group, but no serious side effects were observed.

• Authors: A Malchow-Møller, S Larsen, H Hey, K H Stokholm, E Juhl, F Quaade
• Journal: International journal of obesity (Int J Obes) Vol. 5 Issue 2 Pg. 183-7 ( 1981) England
• PMID: 7228474 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Appetite Depressants
• Drug Combinations
• Placebos
• caffeine, ephedrine drug combination
• Caffeine
• Ephedrine
• Diethylpropion

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Appetite Depressants
• Caffeine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Diet, Reducing
• Diethylpropion (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Combinations (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Ephedrine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (drug therapy)
• Placebos