Method for treating obesity

• US 20040033965A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke University
• Original Assignee: Duke University
• Inventors: Gadde, Kishore M., Krishnan, K. Ranga R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,109,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/137 Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/255 of sulfoxy acids or sulfur analogues thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/35 having six-membered rings with one oxygen as the only ring hetero atom
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/357 having two or more oxygen atoms in the same ring, e.g. crown ethers, guanadrel
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/42 Oxazoles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/423 condensed with carbocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7024 Esters of saccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/06 Antihyperlipidemics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/12 Antihypertensives

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to obesity, and, in particular, to a method of treating obesity and minimizing metabolic risk factors associated therewith using, for example, zonisamide or other weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant either alone or in combination with bupropion or other compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine via uptake inhibition or other mechanism.

Claims

1. A method of treating obesity in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant and at least one compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine in amounts such that said treatment is effected.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant is of the formula (I):

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein R₁ is hydrogen or a C₁-C₄ alkyl, straight and branched chain, and R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are a C₁-C₃ alkyl, straight or branched chain.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant is of the formula (III):

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant is zonisamide or topiramate.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine effects said enhancement via uptake inhibition.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine is bupropion, Atomoxetine or Reboxetine.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant and said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine are administered separately.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant and said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine are administered concurrently.

10. A method of reducing the risk of hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidaemia in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such reduction at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant and at least one compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine in amounts such that said reduction is effected.

11. A method of treating obesity in mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a compound of formula (III):

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said compound is zonisamide.

13. A composition comprising at least one weight loss-promoting anticonvulsant and at least one compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine.

14. The composition according to claim 13 wherein said compound is in dosage unit form.

15. The composition according to claim 14 wherein said composition is in the form of a tablet or capsule.

16. The composition according to claim 13 wherein said anticonvulsant is zonisamide or topiramate.

17. The composition according to claim 13 wherein said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine is bupropion.