Introduction

Our bodies use complex
systems to control appetite, desire for food and body
weight. The medications we use to help patients lose weight
attack different aspects of the system. The BE-LITE medical
staff prescribes specialty medications to help patients lose
weight. These pharmaceutical products, typically filled at
our on-site compounding pharmacy, include:

Medications to Increase Brain Dopamine

Most patients are prescribed phentermine,
phendimetrazine or diethylpropion, medications that work in
the brain to increase dopamine and norepinephrine production
in the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens, thereby
decreasing hunger and stopping food cravings.

Medications to Increase Brain Serotonin

Many patients are successfully treated with the
natural substance, 5-hydroxytryptophan, which is abbreviated
5-HTP. All the serotonin in the body is made from 5-HTP and
we therefore already have this natural substance in our
bodies. 5-HTP is also an over-the-counter product and has
been available for many years. The goal of treatment is to
take a little bit more of what we already have in order to
increase brain serotonin. When taken orally, though, 5-HTP
is rapidly broken down in the gastrointestinal tract and blood. To prevent this
breakdown process, we prescribe special 5-HTP capsules with
a prescription medication, carbidopa, which prevents the
breakdown process. When administered in this way, many
patients find 5-HTP as effective as Pondimin but with fewer
side effects.

We prescribe pharmaceutical grade 5-HTP which has no
trace contaminents.

Other Medications

We also provide patients with a multivitamin
supplement to make sure that proper nutrition is maintained,
even when food intake decreases. Other medications may be
prescribed as needed.