Phentermine

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Phentermine structure

Phentermine is controlled substance and an appetite suppressant weight loss medication or diet pill used as weight loss prescription that has been on the market for over 50 years in the United States.

FDA approval

Approved by the US FDA in 1959, Phentermine has been on the market for a long time with proven safety record. Phentermine is used for a limited period of time to speed weight loss in overweight people who are exercising and eating a low-calorie diet. Phentermine is in a class of medications called anorectics. It works by decreasing appetite. Phentermine comes as tablets and extended-release capsules. It usually is taken as a single daily dose in the morning or three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Indications for Phentermine

­ADIPEX-P® is a sympathomimetic amine anorectic weight loss medication indicated as a short-term adjunct in a regimen of weight decrease based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric limit in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with:

Adipex P 37.5 mg
Adipex P 37.5 mg

Adverse effects of Phentermine

Phentermine is generally well tolerated and most people may not experience any major side effects.

Treatment should be discontinued inpatients who develop new, unexplained symptoms of dyspnea, angina pectoris, syncope or smaller extremity edema, and patients should be evaluated for the possible occurrence of pulmonary hypertension. Common (1% or more in incidence) adverse effects include:

Phentermine
Phentermine

Rare (1% or less incidence) adverse effects include:

  • Primary pulmonary hypertension
  • Valvular heart disease (in combination with dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine; causal relationship unclear)
  • Increased seizure activity in people with epilepsy
  • Psychosis
  • Withdrawal symptoms on stopping are rare
  • Dysphoria
  • Ischaemic events are rare

Cautions and interactions

Phentermine use is contraindicated in those who are:

  • Known hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction to sympathomimetic amines
  • Taking amphetamine (i.e., Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse), dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, guanadrel, guanethidine, or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine) in the last 14 days
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Glaucoma
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Prostatic hypertrophy
  • Epilepsy
  • Simultaneous treatment with drugs that increase blood pressure
  • Contraindicated in cardiac disease (e.g. advanced arteriosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
  • Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • Those receiving serotonergic medications such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, tricyclic antidepressant, due to the potential for serotonin syndrome to be precipitated by the treatment.

Weight loss medications

Since 2012, the FDA approved many new weight loss medications such as Qsymia, Saxenda, Contrave after years of rejecting many other weight loss medications. There are other traditional and time tested weight loss medications such as Phentermine, Phendimetrazine etc.

What works and what does not for losing weight?

New weight loss medications Qsymia and Wegovy

weight loss centers

Mechanism of action

It is believed to suppress the appetite and increases the metabolism by its actions on the appetite center

Dosing and administration

It is available in 15 mg, 30 mg and 37.5 mg in tablet and capsule form.

Brand names available

  • Adipex P (immediate release)
  • Anoxine-AM
  • Ionamin (slow-release resin, Australia, discontinued in the US)
  • Mirapront
  • Obephen
  • Obermine
  • Obestin-30
  • Phentermaxx
  • Phentrol
  • Phenterex
  • Phentromin
  • Pro-Fast SA
  • Qsymia (with topiramate)
  • Redusa
  • Panbesy
  • Phentermine Trenker
  • Obenix
  • Oby-Trim
  • Teramine
  • Zantryl
  • Suprenza (disintegrates orally)

Phentermine and Topiramate

Phentermine is often combined with Topiramate like in the brand name Qsymia for better weight loss results, mitigate some of the side effects, and increase effectiveness. In fact, in a large 30,000 patient diet pill comparison study published in JAMA that compared new prescription weight loss medications or diet pills, Qsymia was considered the most effective weight loss prescription medication.

WikiMD's weight loss clinic locator (USA)

Obesity is a complex health condition characterized by an excessive amount of body fat. Finding the right weight loss doctor is crucial for a successful obesity management plan. Need help finding a weight loss clinic in the United States that might be willing to prescribe Zepbound, Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda or other weight loss medications such as Phentermine?

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD