About Phentermine | Adipex
Phentermine is prescribed as an appetite suppressant for the first
few weeks of a weight loss program. This medication works
most effectively when combined with changes to diet and exercise
habits, by making it easier to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Because Phentermine works to reduce hunger and stimulate your
metabolism, it increases the effectiveness of a low calorie
diet and moderate exercise. Diet and exercise changes must
be maintained after you have stopped taking Phentermine to
keep lost weight from returning.
Because of the risk of rare, but serious, side effects, Phentermine
is usually prescribed to individuals whose weight problem
poses a severe health risk. If you have a weight-related disorder
such as diabetes or high blood pressure, Phentermine may help
you see positive results more quickly, reducing the danger
of weight-related disease.
Phentermine is only available by prescription, speak with
your doctor about any possible drug interactions.
Phentermine Side Effects
Prolonged use of appetite suppressants like Phentermine can cause
skin problems, sleep disorders, and irritable or hyperactive behavior.
Use Phentermine only as long as your doctor recommends it, and do
not exceed the suggested dosage.
Common Phentermine side effects may include: Contipation,
dizziness, dry mouth, false feeling of well-being, headache,
increase of blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, nausea
or vomiting, restlessness, stomach cramps, trembling.
Less common Tenuate side effects may include: Blurred
vision, diarrhea, difficult or painful urination, decreased
sexual desire, excessive urination, fast or irregular heartbeat;
paranoia, irritable bowel, mental depression or elation, severe
headaches, skin rash or hives, sweating.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, shortness
of breath, or swelling of the feet. These side effects are
rare, but may indicate a serious reaction to Tenuate.
Excessive Dosing or Extended Use: When used
for longer than your doctor recommends, or in larger doses
than suggested, this medication may cause the following side
effects. Excessive or frenetic activity, extreme irritability,
mental illness, schizophrenia, severe insomnia, skin disease.
Overdose: Altered blood pressure, coma,
confusion, convulsions, depression following excitement, desire
to attack someone, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fast breathing,
fever, hallucinations (feeling, seeing, or hearing things
that are not there), hostility, irregular heartbeat, nausea
or vomiting, tremor or shaking, tiredness or weakness. Seek
immediate emergency care.
Cautions: Phentermine is not recommended for patients with
certain conditions or medical histories, and may only be recommended
with caution for others. Please advise your doctor of any of the
following to ensure that your treatment is safe and effective.
- Alcohol or substance abuse: Dependence
more likely.
- Allergy: If you have had an allergic
reaction to any stimulant medication, you probably should
not use Tenuate. If you develop an allergic reaction, you
will have to permanently discontinue treatment, as drug
allergies can be life-threatening. Also infor your doctor
of any food or dye allergies.
- Heart disease: May become worse.
- High blood pressure: May become worse.
- Hardening of the arteries, or other blood vessel
disease: May become worse.
- Overactive thyroid: May become worse.
- Glaucoma: May become worse.
- Diabetes: your doctor may want to adjust
your dosage of Phentermine or insulin
- Kidney disease: A buildup of Phentermine
may occur in your body with regular doses; your doctor may
prescribe a smaller dose
- Mental illness: Phentermine use can activate
or increase certain symptoms.
Phentermine Interactions
Phentermine should be taken with caution, or not at all, with the following medications. Let your doctor know if you are taking, or plan to take, any of the following medications during your Phentermine treatment.
- Alcohol - avoid all alcoholic beverages while taking Phentermine
- Allergy or hay fever medication
- Amphetamines - avoid mixing these drugs with Phentermine
- Anesthesia or other medications used during surgery may react
badly with Phentermine; always let your doctor or dentist know
if you are taking Phentermine.
- Appetite suppressants or other diet pills - Mixing Phentermine
with other diet pills can greatly increase the risk of developing
heart problems, and has not been shown to be more effective.
- Asthma medication
- Caffeine - Vivarin, NoDoz, or any other over the counter medication
offered to help you stay awake. Certain herbal weight loss
preparations may contain caffeine or other stimulants, do
not use any of them with Phentermine. Read labels carefully and
consult your doctor or pharmacist about unfamiliar ingredients.
- Cesamet (nabilone)
- Cocaine - avoid mixing this drug with Phentermine
- Cold or sinus medication
- Cylert (pemoline)
- Ephedra - Do not use this herb while taking Phentermine.
- Ginseng - Do not use this herb while taking Phentermine.
- Gotu kola - Do not use this herb while taking Phentermine.
- Insulin, Micronase, or other diabetes medications; your doctor
may adjust your dosage while you are taking Phentermine.
- Ismelin (guanethidine) - consult your doctor about mixing Phentermine
with Ismelin, or any other medication prescribed for high blood
pressure
- Kola nut - Do not use this herb while taking Phentermine.
- Ma Huang - Do not use this herb while taking Phentermine.
- MAO inhibitors - Phentermine must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil, Marplan,
or Parnate. Never use Phentermine within 2 weeks of starting
or stopping an MAO inhibitor. Patients over 65 should allow
a longer wait period between using Phentermine and an MAO, as
medications may stay in their system longer than in other patients.
- Pondimin (fenfluramine) or dexfenfluramine- combining these
weight loss drugs with Phentermine could cause dangerous side
effects
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa (citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine),
Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine),
or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Street drugs of any type should not be mixed with Phentermine.
They may be unpredictably laced with stimulants, or cause a dangerous
reaction on their own.
- Symmetrel (amantadine)
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Tofranil
(imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline),
and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase the risk of side effects
from Phentermine. Using these drugs together can increase the
risk of high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.
- Ulone (chlophedianol)
It is not safe to combine Phentermine with any other stimulant
or appetite suppressant. Exercise caution when buying over the counter
medications or supplements, and always consult your doctor or pharmacist
if you have doubts about the safety of any drug combination.
Always advise your dentist, doctor, or anesthesiologist that
you are using Phentermine if you go in for dental work, surgery,
or to the emergency room. It is dangerous to mix Phentermine
with many of the medications used in these circumstances.
Phentermine Dosages
All recommended dosages are for adults. Children under 16 should not take Phentermine.
- Phentermine capsules: 15-37.5mg, once daily, before breakfast
or 1-2 hours after breakfast
- Phentermine tablets: 15-37.5mg, once daily, before breakfast
or 1-2 hours after breakfast; your doctor may also suggest taking
smaller doses throughout the day, half an hour before a meal
- Phentermine oral resin: 15-30mg, once daily, before breakfast
Phentermine Directions
If you miss a dose of Phentermine, skip it and wait until it's
time for your next regular dose. Never take a double dose of Phentermine,
as this could increase the likelihood of side effects and addiction.
Store away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Phentermine away from children; both when storing it, and
when discarding any unused medication.
If you experience dry mouth, this may be relieved by chewing sugarless
gum, ice, or drinking plenty of water. If this symptom, or any other,
persists, you should inform your doctor immediately.
Phentermine may cause mood changes, lightheadedness, or drowsiness.
Be aware of your reactions to Phentermine before deciding to drive,
operate machinery, or perform any other potentially dangerous tasks.
After a few weeks, Phentermine normally becomes less effective.
Do not increase your dose at this time, it could result in an increased
risk of side effects or dependence. Consult your doctor immediately.
For maximum effect, you should combine Phentermine use with a reduced
calorie diet.
Phentermine and Pregnancy
High doses of Phentermine during pregnancy can cause withdrawal
in newborns, and medications of this type have been known to cause
birth defects. Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, or intend
to become pregnant.
Phentermine is not recommended during breastfeeding as it has not
been shown to be safe, and may cause unwanted side effects in your
newborn.
Phentermine and Children
Phentermine has not been studied for safety or use for children
and it is not recommended for children under 16.
Phentermine and Seniors
Phentermine has not been studied separately in older adults. There are no special recommendations or cautions for seniors.
Adipex-P is a trademark of Gate Pharmaceuticals
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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