Diethylpropion

The FDA approved diethylpropion in 1959 for the short-term treatment  of obesity, usually for just a few weeks because it can become habit forming.

Diethylpropion is meant to be a supplement to a diet and exercise regimen. It is sold under the brand name Tenuate by Watson. Similar to the other appetite suppressants, diethylpropion is an amphetamine-like drug that stimulates the central nervous system.In one study lasting 25 weeks, Tenuate decreased weight by

26 pounds compared to a loss of 3.5 pounds for placebo users on a diet. In another study of 12 weeks, Tenuate users lost 20 pounds and placebo users lost 10 pounds while on a highly restrictive diet of 1,000 calories.2 A weight loss of more than one pound a week is not recommended. A diet of only 1,000 calories is also too restrictive even for someone on a diet, par- ticularly if he or she is exercising.

The exact mechanism by which diethylpropion stimulates the central nervous system to suppress appetite is not  well understood. Side effects include sleeplessness and nervousness. Diethylpropion can also become addictive if used long term. Because it is a stimulant, people with heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, or glaucoma should not use this drug. Although Tenuate has been in use since 1959, it is not a popular weight-loss drug choice.