zantac OTC TID and weight loss

Ha-yea it sounds a little fishy. The exact quote is: "One of the newer weight-loss interventions involves OTC Zantac. It may work by activating CCK (cholecystokinin), so that you feel full. Some studies have shown that cimetidine, the prescrition acid-relief form of Zantac (vanitidine), in a dose of 400 mg TID may yield a 5% decrease in waist size."

This is from his book "YOU: on a diet."

 But hey, he also recommends a nicotine patch and two cups of coffee to help some get over a hurdle, which is also a little out there, don't you think?

Thanks, Rachel

Dear Rachel, If it sounds too good to be true, then.... By more to the point. Even if Zantac did indirectly make people feel full , it proably would not affect your Mom's eating. Most people do not eat too much because they are hungry. They eat too much because they don't stop eating WHEN THEY FEEL FULL. For example, many of us eat dessert after we announce that we can't eat another bite of our dinner. And then dig into the cake or pie or whatever. And people who have their stomachs reduced in size in order to lose weight feel full very quickly but many still have an urge to eat more. Your brain not your gut ultimately turns off your appetite and that is because a brain chemical serotonin which shuts off eating is activated. Serotonin works on certain cells ( n ot the same ones that affect mood) to terminate eating. And you know serotonin is working when you can look at that piece of cake and say' NO thank you," I am really full and feel it.

Rachel,

It seems hard to imagine that he would have recommended so high a dose - more than twice the prescription strength! But since you quote it, I would warn that this strength of medication when taken unnecessarily may actually lead to stomach problems and could even cause ulceration...! Not a good idea at all.