Important Medication and Dieting Information

Weight loss of more than 1-2 pounds a week is considered to be extreme and you should always consult a physician about any possible health risks or side affects before starting.

The Doctor may prescribe an appetite suppressant as part of your diet and weight loss plan and as with all prescription medications you should consult your primary care physician before starting any new medication. Please be aware that although side effects are rare you should contact us or your primary care doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms that are not ordinary.

What is phentermine?

Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.

Phentermine is used togther with diet and exercise to treat obesity (overweight) in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Phentermine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about phentermine

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 doctor's advice.

Before taking phentermine

Do not use phentermine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use 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 tbis medicine with any other diet medications without your doctor's advice.

You should not take phentermine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries);
heart disease;
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;
if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse; or
if you are allergic to other diet pills, amphetamines, stimulants, or cold medications.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a phentermine dose adjustment or special tests:

high blood pressure;
diabetes; or
a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether phentermine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Phentermine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking phentermine. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 16 years old.

What is phendimetrazine?

Phendimetrazine is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" drug. Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.

Phendimetrazine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity.

Phendimetrazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about phendimetrazine

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Phendimetrazine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.

Phendimetrazine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" phendimetrazine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.

Before taking phendimetrazine

You cannot take phendimetrazine if you

have heart disease or high blood pressure;
have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
have glaucoma;
have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or
have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

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

You may not be able to take phendimetrazine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether phendimetrazine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether phendimetrazine passes into breast milk. Do not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.