Phentermine Weight Loss Drug

Phentermine is a popular prescription diet pill that for more than 40 years many have used to successfully lose weight. Phentermine is not used for acute, dramatic weight loss, yet patients can expect to begin losing weight immediately upon beginning treatment. The average monthly weight loss total for those using phentermine is about 1 percent of their total body weight or one to two pounds a week.

Facts

Phentermine affects the hypothalamus area of the brain, which releases hormones that regulate thirst, hunger and sleep levels. Phentermine is also sold under the brand names Adipex, Fastin and Inomin and is generally administered in 15, 30 and 37.5 mg pills to be taken daily. Patients may need to lower or increase their dosage depending on persisting hunger or side effects. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that patients use phentermine for a maximum of 12 weeks.

History

Phentermine was used with fenfluramine in the the popular diet pill combination fen-phen, which was voluntarily removed from the U.S. market as requested by the FDA due to reported cases of heart-valve abnormalities and pulmonary hypertension. Phentermine used alone as a diet aid was not been found to cause heart-valve damage and has been allowed to stay on the U.S. market.

Considerations

Phentermine is classified by the FDA as a Schedule 4 controlled substance, meaning it has minimal abuse liability. For some patients, the appetite-suppressant effect may decrease over time, so physicians will usually add another dose in the early afternoon to counteract this tolerance. Most patients do not experience withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop the drug but tend to experience slight rebound hunger and fatigue symptoms.

Side Effects

Phentermine is known to cause side effects of dry mouth and sleeplessness. Dry mouth is remedied by increasing water and fluid intake. Sleeplessness tends to subside within the first few weeks of treatment, and patients can choose to take their dose earlier in the day to achieve better sleep. Some side effects that are less common include constipation, restlessness, anxiety, mild headaches and irritability. Most mild side effects subside within the first week of treatment.

Warning

Phentermine prescriptions are readily available through online prescription services but should be avoided. Online doctor and pharmacy services may not be selling the actual phentermine drug, which could cause harm if taken. Those who have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, diabetes, epilepsy and other seizure disorders should not take phentermine.

References

• Phentermine
• Cleveland Clinic: Pulmonary Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
• PBS Frontline: Dangerous Prescription: Fen-Phen Nation; Kate Cohen; Nov. 13, 2003