US researchers have stated that weight loss can be triggered by taking a combination pill of two drugs used to treat addiction.

Greater weight loss than exercise and diet alone was noticed among people who took Naltrexone, commonly used to treat alcoholics and heroin addicts, and the anti-smoking drug bupropion.

Experts also believe that the combination can actually keep food cravings at bay.

Professor Nick Finer, an obesity expert from University College London (UCL), said the drug may yield better result if it was identified that who actually need the drug.

Professor Frank Greenway, study leader said, “This is the first drug I'm aware of that targets both the appetite and reward centres in the brain.”

About 1,700 overweight and obese adults were enrolled for the study and they were offered a weight-loss programme with advice on diet and exercise.

The combination treatment in one of two doses was given to two-thirds and a placebo was given to a third to take twice a day. The trial that lasted for almost a year was completed by only half.

It was noticed that the combination treatment made people lose five to six per cent of their weight depending on the dose which was more than the placebo group.