Attitudes Toward Appetite Suppressants

Abstract

A sample of US physicians has been surveyed regarding their opinions about anorexigenic drugs and their prescribing of them. Most physicians see numerous overweight patients, although 22% of the general practitioners, 43% of the obstetrician-gynecologists, and 50% of the internists do not prescribe appetite suppressants for them. Even among physicians who prescribe these drugs, there is wide variation in frequency of prescribing and in opinions regarding their efficacy. Nonamphetamines appear more popular than amphetamines. Only 25% of physicians will prescribe anorexiants for longer than three months. Legitimate prescribing is not seen by US physicians as a serious cause of drug abuse, although they appreciate the hazards of illicit stimulant usage. Most physicians do not wish to see appetite suppressants eliminated from medical use.