About Phentermine | Adipex

Phentermine is prescribed as an appetite suppressant for the first few weeks of a weight control 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 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: increase of blood pressure

Less common Phentermine side effects may include: Difficult or painful urination, decreased sexual desire, fast or irregular heartbeat; paranoia, hallucinations (feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there), severe headaches, mental depression or elation, irritable bowel, skin rash or hives, dry mouth, overexcitement.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or swelling of the feet. These side effects are rare, but may indicate a serious reaction to Phentermine. Tremor, convulsions, vomiting, or nausea may indicate an overdose or withdrawal, and should also be reported immediately.

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.

• Allergic reaction to Phentermine or other stimulant
• Heart disease
• High or low blood pressure
• Hardening of the arteries, or other blood vessel disease
• Overactive thyroid
• Glaucoma
• 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 regulardoses; your doctor may prescribe a smaller dose
• History of substance abuse - Phentermine can cause dependence if used by patients prone to addiction, or if used improperly
• 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.