What Is a DNP and Is It Worth It?

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is a yellow crystalline powder that has a sweet, musty odour and is soluble in water. The dose of DNP per capsule is 100 or 200 mg. DNP is a weight loss agent with significant acute toxicity. A typical regimen would include starting with one capsule of DNP for the first few days followed by increasing doses to a recommended maximum of 400 mg/day, which is then used for up to 2 weeks in duration

What is a DNP?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, or DNP, is referred to as a terminal degree in nursing because there is no higher level of education available for practice-based training in nursing. Nurses who have their DNP are sought after for positions in nursing leadership focused on clinical applications and are considered key players in the future of healthcare in the United States.

The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is ultimately designed to produce leaders in nursing. Such nurses possess the highest level of nursing expertise and work either in a clinical setting or leadership role upon obtaining the required credentials. They possess adept knowledge to influence healthcare outcomes through organizational leadership, health policy implementation, and direct patient care.

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is reported to cause rapid loss of weight, but unfortunately is associated with an unacceptably high rate of significant adverse effects. DNP is sold mostly over the internet under a number of different names as a weight loss/slimming aid. It causes uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation; the classic symptom complex associated with toxicity of phenol-based products such as DNP is a combination of hyperthermia, tachycardia, diaphoresis and tachypnoea, eventually leading to death. Fatalities related to exposure to DNP have been reported since the turn of the twentieth century. To date, there have been 62 published deaths in the medical literature attributed to DNP. In this review, we will describe the pattern and pathophysiology of DNP toxicity and summarise the previous fatalities associated with exposure to DNP.