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Michael I. Weintraub, MD
New York Medical College Croton-on-Hudson

JAMA. 1990;263(21):2886.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

7b the Editor.—

The commentary entitled "Responsible and Irresponsible Use of Very-Low-Calorie Diets in the Treatment of Obesity" by Wadden et al¹ was excellent and well balanced. They argue convincingly that a long-term weight control program is the only effective solution. There is, however, a greater potential for abuse and danger lurking in nonregulated diet pills containing phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. The obsession with low weight has caused individuals to look for a "quick fix" solution and this has been enhanced by aggressive advertising and marketing techniques. Evidence for the efficacy of phenylpropanolamine in both short- and long-term studies is not confirmed and has led some authors to conclude that phenylpropanolamine has no role in the treatment of obesity.² However, of greater concern is the safety issue. Phenylpropanolamine is a stimulant that is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine and it is contained in more than 70 proprietary overthe-counter preparations. . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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