METHOD FOR TREATING OBESITY
The present invention relates generally to methods of treating obesity and minimizing metabolic risk factors associated therewith using, for example, zonisamide or other weight loss-promoting anti-convulsant either alone or in combination with bupropion or metabolites thereof or other compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine via uptake inhibition or other mechanism.
1 . A method of treating obesity in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a metabolite of bupropion, and at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant wherein said anticonvulsant is of formula (III):
wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and one of X and Y is a carbon atom and another is a nitrogen atom, provided that the group —CH 2 SO 2 NR 2 R 3 is bonded to the carbon atom of either of X and Y, or an alkali metal salt thereof.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said anticonvulsant is zonisamide.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol hydrochloride.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said anticonvulsant and said metabolite of bupropion are administered separately.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said anticonvulsant and said metabolite of bupropion are administered concurrently.
7 . A method of reducing the risk of hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidaemia in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need of such reduction a metabolite of bupropion, and at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant according to formula (III) in amounts such that said reduction is effected, where formula (III) is:
wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and one of X and Y is a carbon atom and another is a nitrogen atom, provided that the group —CH 2 SO 2 NR 2 R 3 is bonded to the carbon atom of either of X and Y, or an alkali metal salt thereof.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant of formula (III) is zonisamide.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol hydrochloride.
11 . A composition comprising a metabolite of bupropion, and at least one weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant of formula (III):
wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and one of X and Y is a carbon atom and another is a nitrogen atom, provided that the group —CH 2 SO 2 NR 2 R 3 is bonded to the carbon atom of either of X and Y, or an alkali metal salt thereof, in an amount sufficient to effect said treatment.
12 . The composition of claim 11 wherein said anticonvulsant is zonisamide.
13 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
14 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein said metabolite of bupropion is (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol hydrochloride.
15 . The composition of claim 11 wherein said composition is in dosage unit form.
16 . The composition of claim 11 wherein said composition is in the form of a tablet or capsule.