Compositions And Methods For Reducing Food Cravings
Disclosed are compositions for reducing food cravings, comprising a first compound and a second compound, where the first compound is an opioid antagonist and the second compound is an α-MSH agonist. Also disclosed are methods of reducing food cravings, comprising identifying an individual in need thereof and treating that individual to antagonize opioid receptor activity and to enhance α-MSH activity.
1 - 34 . (canceled)
35 . A method of reducing food cravings in a patient suffering therefrom comprising administering a daily dose of naltrexone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and bupropion or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the patient for a period of at least 4 weeks in an amount that is effective to reduce a food craving.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the bupropion is an α-MSH agonist, triggers the release of α-MSH, and/or increases the activity of neurons that express α-MSH.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the α-MSH activity enhancer is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (S SRI).
38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the naltrexone is administered to the subject prior to the bupropion.
39 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the naltrexone and the bupropion are combined in a single dosage form.
40 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the naltrexone and the bupropion are administered for a period of at least 24 weeks.
41 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient craves a food substance within a category selected from sweets, carbohydrates and fats.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the category is sweets.
43 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the category is fats.
44 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient is overweight.
45 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient is obese.
46 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient has a BMI greater than 40.
47 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient has a BMI less than 25.
48 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient is pregnant.
49 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient is administered 36 mg/day of naltrexone.
50 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the patient is administered 400 mg/day of bupropion.
51 . The method of claim 35 , wherein naltrexone and bupropion are administered as part of a sustained-release formulation.