Will Duromine help me again with my weight loss?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been struggling a lot with my weight for the last two years. I consulted a dietician a few months ago, and I have been on a balanced, calorie-controlled diet, and I have also joined the gym. I am on a quest for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. However, I am really struggling to get some weight off. My current weight is 198 pounds, and I am 163 centimeters (cm) tall. I am very depressed and sad because of all the hard work I put in without results. This is really taking its toll on my personal life. My dietician suggested that I consult a doctor to see if there is anything that could be prescribed to help me. I have used 20 mg Duromine before, when I was younger, for three months, and I really had great results with it. I thought that maybe I should try it again to get the kick-start I need and to boost this new journey. I am currently taking Cyclidox.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear that you have struggled so much with losing weight and have started to feel depressed about it. However, I must commend you on the great effort you have made so far in trying to take control of your health and working toward a more balanced future.

I have recalculated your BMI (body mass index), and it comes to approximately 34, with an estimated body fat percentage of around 40 percent. I want to emphasize that I am not a dietitian or nutritionist, and these professionals are usually best placed to guide you in weight control and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

As a doctor, my first advice is to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your difficulty in losing weight. Many of these conditions are endocrine in nature, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome. An initial assessment can be done by a general practitioner, who may refer you to an endocrinologist after conducting some blood investigations.

Only after excluding these causes would we consider medications that aid in weight loss. One example you may have heard of is Duromine (Phentermine), which is an appetite suppressant. However, it is important to remember that the key to effective and healthy weight loss is not starving the body, but providing it with the right nutrients while being mindful of your macronutrient and calorie intake.

Regarding your use of Doxycycline, long-term use may cause water retention, leading to temporary weight gain. You are still young and have plenty of time to reach your health goals. Weight loss takes time, persistence, and proper medical guidance, which you have already started. I can help by recommending relevant investigations first, and only after we rule out medical causes will we suggest appropriate medications that help reduce fat absorption after meals (not Duromine).

The possible Causes are an imbalance between caloric intake and calories burned. Medications such as antidepressants, hypoglycemics, or corticosteroids. Endocrine conditions like hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome.

We can arrange blood tests through a pathology lab to assess hormone levels and other relevant markers. I can also coordinate with your dietitian to create a personalized, solid plan for you, and we will take it step by step from there.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.