Phentermine

Typical Brand Names: Phentermine
Active Ingredients: Phentermine Hydrochloride (HCL)

A short-term supplement for obese individuals, Phentermine is used as an appetite suppressant, by making you feel less hungry. It accomplishes this by altering brain chemical (neurotransmitters) that affect mood and appetite. The medication must be used in conjunction with an exercise regimen and a weight loss diet plan. An additional benefit is that it may increase the rate at which your body burns calories.

When it is to be taken:

Phentermine is usually taken as a single daily dose in the morning or three times a day 30 minutes before meals. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Phentermine usually is taken for only a few weeks; the drug may lose its effectiveness after this period.

Before taking phentermine

Do not take phentermine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take phentermine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Taking phentermine together with other diet medications such as fenfluramine (Phen-Fen) or dexfenfluramine (Redux) can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. Do not take phentermine with any other diet medications without your doctors advice.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to phentermine or other stimulants, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
• an overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• if you are in an agitated state;
• if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Before taking phentermine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• problems with your thyroid
• an anxiety disorder
• epilepsy or another seizure disorder, or diabetes.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use phentermine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

It is not known whether phentermine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take phentermine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether phentermine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take phentermine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 16 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Phentermine Directions?

Because Phentermine may cause drowsiness, it is recommended that you take your dose early in the day. The best time is 30-60 minutes before breakfast, while your stomach is empty. Take the tablet in one piece, or, at most, it may be broken in two. Do not chew the tablet or crush it into a powder.

Other Precautions:

1. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse, tell your doctor before taking phentermine.

2. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially guanethidine, insulin, and MAO inhibitors, even if you stopped taking them within the past two weeks.

3. If you have diabetes, you may need a larger dose of insulin while taking phentermine. Consult your doctor if you have questions or problems.

4. Women who are pregnant should inform their doctors before taking phentermine. If you become pregnant while taking it, contact your doctor promptly.

5. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

What other drugs will affect phentermine?

Before taking phentermine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• medicines to treat high blood pressure;
• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;
• guanadrel (Hylorel), guanethidine (Ismelin);
• antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use phentermine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect phentermine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medication. An overdose of phentermine can be fatal.

Symptoms of a phentermine overdose may include confusion, hallucinations, feeling restless or aggressive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, tremors, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).