What is phentermine?
Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.
Phentermine is used togther with diet and exercise to treat obesity (overweight) in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Phentermine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
How does Phentermine work?
Phentermine works by stimulating the hypothalamus gland and affecting certain neurotransmitters to decrease appetite. The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc.
Special Instruction :
1. Take only the amount of medication prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more of it or take it more often than as instructed. Phentermine may be habit-forming.
2. Follow your diet while taking phentermine.
3. Phentermine may decrease your alertness or coordination. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how it affects you.
4. if you forget to take a dose, omit the missed dose completely: then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Phentermine Side Effects?
You may experience any of the following side effects from Phentermine, dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping may occur. If side effects persist after a few days or get worse, notify your doctor. Side effects will generally go away after a couple of days of use.
Precautions
Please use Phentermine with caution as it is similar chemically to amphetamines and has the potential for psychological dependency.
Driving and Hazardous Work - Phentermine (or other appetite suppressants) may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being or to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than normal. Do NOT drive or engage in hazardous work until you know how the medicine affects you.
Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) - Phentermine (or other appetite suppressants) may worsen the condition.
Infants and Children - Phentermine (or other appetite suppressants) are NOT recommended for use by children under age 16. Studies on appetite suppressants have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of Sympathomimetic appetite suppressants in children with use in other age groups.
Indications and Usage for Phentermine
Phentermine hydrochloride tablets and capsules are indicated as a short term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, or ≥ 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia).
Below is a chart of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on various heights and weights.
BMI is calculated by taking the patient’s weight, in kilograms (kg), divided by patient’s height, in meters (m), squared. Metric conversions are as follows: pound ÷ 2.2 =kg; inches x 0.0254 = meters.
| BODY MASS INDEX (BMI), kg/m2 |
| |
Height (feet, inches) |
Weight
(pounds) |
5’0” |
5’3” |
5’6” |
5’9” |
6’0” |
6’3 |
| 140 |
27 |
25 |
23 |
21 |
19 |
18 |
| 150 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
22 |
20 |
19 |
| 160 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
24 |
22 |
20 |
| 170 |
33 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
23 |
21 |
| 180 |
35 |
32 |
29 |
27 |
25 |
23 |
| 190 |
37 |
34 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
24 |
| 200 |
39 |
36 |
32 |
30 |
27 |
25 |
| 210 |
41 |
37 |
34 |
31 |
29 |
26 |
| 220 |
43 |
39 |
36 |
33 |
30 |
28 |
| 230 |
45 |
41 |
37 |
34 |
31 |
29 |
| 240 |
47 |
43 |
39 |
36 |
33 |
30 |
| 250 |
49 |
44 |
40 |
37 |
34 |
31 |
The limited usefulness of agents of this class should be measured against possible risk factors inherent in their use such as those described below.
What are the possible side effects of phentermine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using phentermine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- chest pain, swelling in your ankles or feet, feeling light-headed, fainting, or feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- fast or uneven heartbeat;
- unusual thoughts or behavior, feeling restless or confused;
- increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
- feeling nervous or anxious;
- headache, dizziness, tremors;
- trouble sleeping (insomnia);
- dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
- diarrhea or constipation; or itching.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Phentermine Storage?
You should make sure that keep your Phentermine medications at room temperature and keep it away from elements that might harm the medication. Also keep this medication out of the reach of small children. This medication is for adult use only.
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