l drug that is on the market. In the celeb realm, we see searches for Kim Kardashian. Now is it because she was jetsetting around Cabo all week or was it due to her recent attendance at Life's Breakthrough of the Year awards? There is also more drama surrounding Michael Vick as the disgraced Falcons QB was sentenced today for his crimes. He will serve 23 months in prison for his dogfighting ring ... which I am not sure is entirely enough. And we cannot forget about Paris. Is she having a fling with her ex, Stavros?
The most interesting search that came up this weekend was for Prometa. The drug has come up as a hot topic for debate as people begin to question its effectiveness. Prometa is supposed to cure addiction for many things from alcohol to cocaine to methamphetamines. Sounds great, right? There is one catch: It is not approved by the FDA.
So why is this unapproved drug getting all this recognition and promotion? Marketers have found a loophole. The drug is a combination of three FDA approved drugs that have absolutely nothing to do with curbing addiction. But that apparently does not matter. Since the ingredients in the drug combo are approved, it is perfectly legitimate to prescribe it. This is called off-the-label use.
It is kind of crazy to me that the FDA allows this. People are paying tons of money to get treatment and there is no clinical proof that these actually work in combination. Patients who used Prometa have given testimonials to the success of the drug, but that is one of the few things backing it. It will be interesting to see if people continue to use this drug.
Hot Searches from December 10, 2007:
1. Kim Kardashian -- At Breakthrough of the Year awards
2. Michael Vick -- Gets sentenced to two years in jail
3. Prometa -- On '60 Minutes'
4. Jessica Biel -- Works on her relationship with Justin
5. Tom Brady -- Leads Patriots to victory
6. Pamela Anderson -- Named one of the sexiest women celebs
7. Fantasy football -- Did your team make it to the playoffs?
8. Cleveland Browns -- Beat the Jets
9. Multiple sclerosis -- Gets allopathic treatments
10. 'Wicked' -- Have you seen it yet?
11. Dreams -- What do yours mean?
12. Lindsay Lohan -- Did she relapse?
13. 'Desperate Housewives' -- Will Lynette's family survive
14. Orlando Bloom -- Visits the Dalai Lama
15. Map of the United States -- Learn about geography
16. Paris Hilton -- Cheating with Stavros?
17. MLS -- Beckham will open 2008 in Chicago
18. Yorkshire terriers -- Find your perfect puppy
19. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Cant beat the Patriots
20. Angelina Jolie -- Named sexiest woman celeb
More Sponsored Links For: prometa
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1. I am all for off label use of drugs. If a drug can help you out but it was designed for another thing and it has been shown to be safe...why not. I originally took z ylene for weight loss. I have now lost the 15 pounds I needed to in 2 months, but I foudn the drug has a side effect of givin gme energy and making me feel "happy". I called the company and it does have mood enhancers in it. I ma taking one a day to curb my appetite, and keep the weight off. It also keeps me from being anxious which I need during the holiday season. I find this works better than St John's Wort. It is sold by distributors and Amazon. I bough from Amazon and got quick delivery and great discounts on other health products.
Posted at 5:22PM on Dec 10th 2007 by daisy
2. On Kim!! I think people are curious like I was to see who the "heck!" Kim was!!! Sure she has a great body! But, now days anyone can. With plastic surgery so available. Maybe hers is "natural" who cares any ways! Pretty (BUT ! Needs to take off all that make up!) Well, I was just curious to see who and where she came from. Plus why she went about becoming famous in the way she did it! "WHY?" Would a lovely young woman want to be famous the way she went about it??? Her parents leave a lot to be desired! With all her connections couldn't they/she have went down a better road to fame?
Posted at 8:38PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Sandy
3. So, that's her claim to fame.......her dad was responsible for helping free a murderer. That's not something i'd want to be associated with
Posted at 8:43PM on Dec 10th 2007 by kathy
4. Don't forget that the combination of approved drugs in Fenphen caused heart valve damage in thousands of overweight patients, before the problem was discovered. Some even died in just a few weeks of use.
Posted at 9:04PM on Dec 10th 2007 by BRUSTER
5. The action of taking one pill to counter act ones addictive nature is the most ridiculos idea ... taking/drinking something, anything shortcuts in life to make oneself feel temporarily better short term immediate gratification ..is exactly the addicts problem...they cant deal ... most drugs kill you slowly ,,wether FDA approved or not .....look at aspartame FDA approved its worse than sugar!and the FDA is in the business it seems to get us hooked onto something watch Tv then listen to the hour klong disclaimers ..the FDA and the phareteutical comapanies make oodles and oodles of money of substance addicted drug taking societies and children are getting diabetes Type III earlier than ever before off FDA approved food additives
Posted at 9:20PM on Dec 10th 2007 by curtis brown
6. GIMME A BREAK. ANYTHING, AND I MEAN ANYTHING, THAT BRINGS ONE OUT OF A METH ADDICTION AND KEEPS THEM FROM DYING, IS WORTH IT. THE SIDE EFFECTS OR DYING, LET ME SEE, WHICH ONE IS WORSE. LETS THINK ABOUT THAT ONE!! C'MON, YOU GUYS!!! I HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT IS A METH ADDICT. SHE COULD CONCEIVABLY DIE. AND YOU ACTUALLY THINK I GIVE A SHIT IF IT IS APPROVED BY THE CORRUPT FDA!!!? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING. ANYONE THAT HAS A CHILD ON THAT STUFF WILL FEEL THE SAME WAY. WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING ONLINE TO CHECK INTO THIS DRUG. ITS THE PARENT, FOR GODS SAKE!!! DAMN RIGHT, I AM CHECKING INTO THIS DRUG!! I HAVE MY DAUGHTERS CHILDREN, AS SHE HAS LOST HER SENSES, HER SENSE OF VALUE, SENSE OF SELF ESTEEM, PRIDE, INTEGRITY, EVERYTHING THAT HOLDS DEAR TO A HUMAN BEING. SHE IS SKINNY WITH SORES, GREEN AT TIMES, AS FAILURE OF KIDNEYS AND LIVER ARE IMMINENT. MANY LIVES ARE AFFECTED IN HER SITUATION. SO COME ON, SCIENTISTS AND THE WORLD, HELP US, AND MILLIONS LIKE US, TO RECEIVE A CURE AND SOME HELP. THANK YOU!!!
Posted at 9:29PM on Dec 10th 2007 by mary
7. Who the F**K is Kim Kardashian? And who gives a shi* about her drug habit? If AOL wasn't free I wouldn't pay a dime for it.
Posted at 9:42PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Christian
8. Mary, I feel for you. She's lucky to have you to care for her kids. I've watched drugs and alcohol take 2 brother-in-laws from me and so many others too young. Hope she figures it out before they did.
Posted at 9:44PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Sue
9. kim kardashian acts like a straight up hoe sometimes but i do love her for her fashion n style
N WHY THE HELL IS EVERYONE POUNDING ON MICHAEL VICK FOR DOG FIGHTING BUT NOT PARIS WHITE ASS FOR DUI...DID YALL FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE FROM DRUNK DRIVERS. IT SHOWS PEOPLE CARE MORE ABOUT ANIMALS THAN HUMANS WHEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT
HOP OFF MIKE VICK JOCK!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 10:04PM on Dec 10th 2007 by lilblasianmami
10. Or you could take something that's been used for THOUSANDS of years, is natural, COMPLETELY SAFE (and thus illegal)
IBOGAINE
Posted at 10:06PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Herbalist
11. kim can act like a hoe at times but i have to admit i love her for her style n fashion
N PEOPLE NEED TO LEAVE MICHAEL VICK THE HELL ALONE! WHAT HE DOES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IS HIS FREAKIN BUSINESS. WHY WASN'T PARIS'S WHITE ASS PUNISHED FOR THOSE DUI'S, LIKE THEY AREN'T A BIG DEAL WHEN APPARENTLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIE FROM DRUNK DRIVERS BUT IT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ANIMALS WHEN THEY SHOULD BOTH BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT...DOG OR PERSON.
HOP OFF MIKE VICKS JOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 10:09PM on Dec 10th 2007 by lilblasianmami
12. Who is this writer. At least I do not feel threatened by Vick. I would put money on this: An American driver has no choice but to run over a dog or you, the driver will sacrifice your life over a dog. If you do not think its true ask a PETA member, especially if one has a prejudice or bias.
AMERICA is twisted.
People would rather ruin or harm a humans life over the life of a dog.....LOL
Lucky for Kobe and those Duke Lacrosse players they were not alledgedly raping dogs.
Posted at 10:12PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Bignacka
13. Prometa might not be approved by the FDA for this use, but as many people undergoing prometa treatment have said, it has saved their lives. Who can argue with that
Posted at 10:36PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Laura
14. Ok...I watched the 60 minutes special on Prometa..I read the comments on CBS site..now reading this "story" really makes my blood boil. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WRITE SUCH AN UNEDUCATED COLUMN. This makes me sick. NO ONE ever said Prometa was a "cure" for addiction. Saying that would be like saying insulin is a cure for diabetes. Addiction is a DISEASE. It is not something that can be cured. Prometa is a TREATMENT. And..it WORKS. How?? Please, by all means, let me explain it to you since you obviously know nothing about it. When you are addicted to meth, your brain is slowly depleted of dopamine...which is a "happy hormone". The meth eventually starts taking the place of dopamine because the chemical "make up" of meth and dopamine are very similar. This "tricks" the brain into thinking your body has plenty of dopamine so it stops producing it. Following me? Once the addict tries to quit using on their own, it can take a VERY long time to replenish the part of the brain that has been damaged. THIS is exactly why there is only a 3% success rate of people quitting on their own. Without dopamine, the addict will be depressed, won't be able to get out of bed, won't be able to function in every day life. So they relapse. With Prometa, it helps to restore that part of the brain 80% faster than trying to go "cold turkey".
Am I a doctor? NO. Do I work for Prometa? NO. Hythiam? NO. I'm an ordinary wife and mother from Oklahoma whose husband is an addict...who thanks to Prometa is now clean. If the people in this world really give a rats ass about thisplease, by all means, EDUCATE YOURSELVES. Learn about this epidemic that is killing our world and effecting our children. Once you do, you will see that there are things out there that can help and Prometa is one of them.
Posted at 10:41PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Christy
15. I'm not big on prescription drugs to 'cure' anything.. BUT.. in this case... I say go for it.... I think the so called "FDA" is pretty much a scam anyway!! Why don't they ever 'approve' natural herbs and supplements?? Because the pharmaceutical companies are lining the FDA's pockets!!!
Posted at 10:46PM on Dec 10th 2007 by MissW
16. 23 months is more than enough. STFU bitch.
Posted at 10:46PM on Dec 10th 2007 by The Truth
17. And by the way...you can get patient assistance through the prometa program. My husband was able to go through the treatment for a much lower cost.
Posted at 10:53PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Christy
18. Drugs are frequently used with great success on conditions which they were not specifically approved for. To require one drug which was not approved for a particular used to be approved over & over again is stupidest remark you have ever made. The drug cocktails formulated for treating HIV were largely approved for something else before they were used. How many, including Magic Johnson among others, do you think would have died before some drug company figured out what a Chinese-American graduate medical student discovered the cocktail treatment?
When it comes to making medical decisions like this we need to stay out of the scientific community's way as much as possible before some idiot politician comes up with another way to get elected and screw the taxpayers at the same time.
Posted at 11:01PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Gary Armstrong
19. Drugs are frequently used with great success on conditions that they were not specifically approved for. To require one drug that was not approved for a particular use to be approved over & over again is the stupidest remark I have ever heard. The drug cocktails formulated for treating HIV were largely approved for something else before they were used. How many people, including Magic Johnson among others, do you think would have died before some drug company came up with what a Chinese-American graduate medical student did-the AIDS cocktail treatment?
When it comes to making medical decisions like this we need to stay out of the scientific community's way as much as possible before some idiot politician comes up with another way to get elected and screw the taxpayers at the same time.
Posted at 11:04PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Gary Armstrong
20. Daisy, I wouldn't be so quick to go for off label drugs and think it has been proven to be safe. Off label usage means it has not been proven in clinical trials to be used in the manner except that which the FDA has deemed the drug to be used for. Some things like St. John's Wort are dangerous and you can really damage some of your organs by using too much of these things, you really ought to be more cautious. Many people, even very young people in their 20's have died by taking "health food" pills and then having heart arrythmea or respitory failure because they were taking these substances and not notifying their physician or surgeon.
Posted at 11:08PM on Dec 10th 2007 by sarah