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How Does a Phentermine Diet Pill Work?
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By eHow Contributing Writer
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Turn on the television or read any magazine and you're sure to see an advertisement for a new diet wonder pill. Obesity rates in the U.S. continue to climb while quick fix remedies continue to flood market. Over the years, diet drugs have run the gamut from effective to useless to downright dangerous. One of the most widely used of all the prescription diet pills is phentermine. Before you run to your physician, though, make sure you understand how phentermine works, as well as the potential side effects of taking it.
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Far from being a new drug, phentermine has actually been approved for use since 1959, and is in the amphetamine class. Although not exactly an amphetamine, this drug is chemically and pharmacologically very similar to amphetamines. Bascially, this means phentermine works by stimulating the central nervous system. Specifically, nerve cells are excited and subsequently release catecholamines, a group of neurotransmitters including epinephrine (or adrenaline, as it's commonly known). When these neurotransmistters are released, they signal the body to ready itself for fight or flight. Once this occurs, signals from other body functions that aren't necessary at the time, like food digestion and hunger, are in effect switched off. So, when phentermine signals the neurons to release excitatory neurotransmitters, hunger signals to the brain are temporarily stalled, thus making it an effective appetite suppressant.
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Phentermine may work well to control hunger but before using it, you should consider some of the side effects. Because phentermine is similar to an amphetamine, it's also labeled as a controlled substance. This is due to it's potential to be habit forming, both physically and psychologically. Also, due to its simulating effects on the nervous system, it can cause insomnia, heart palpitations, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and restlessness. A whole gamut of other common side effects of this drug include irritability, dry mouth, confusion, dizziness, headache, and even psychosis. Also, those people that have weight loss issues due to emotional eating versus hunger eating will probably not benefit from this drug. Therefore, while phentermine may work well for some people, it should always be used with caution, and only under a physician's care.
eHow Article: How Does a Phentermine Diet Pill Work?
