Method for treating obesity

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.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of promoting weight loss in a mammal comprising:
 identifying a mammal in need of such weight loss; and   administering to said mammal at least one compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine selected from the group consisting of bupropion, atomoxetine, and reboxetine, 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. 
       
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said anticonvulsant is zonisamide. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine is bupropion. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said anticonvulsant and said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine are administered separately. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said anticonvulsant and said compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine are administered concurrently.