Phentermine (Adipex-P, Obenix, Oby-Trim) suppresses the appetite. How it exactly works, no one knows for sure. It may act on certain parts of the brain that control appetite. It compares to amphetamines in that it stimulates the nervous system, increases heart rate, and elevates blood pressure.http://www.medicinenet.com/phentermine/article.htm It is in a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4151-Phentermine.aspx?drugid=4151&drugname=Phentermine

Phentermine may be used with a low-calorie diet, behavior change and exercise to lose weight. It is most often used in people who are significantly obese and haven’t been able to lose weight just by diet and exercise. By getting the weight off many health risks are reduced, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4151-Phentermine.aspx?drugid=4151&drugname=Phentermine This medication may also be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605

Stop using phentermine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

1. shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
2. swelling or rapid weight gain;
3. tremor or insomnia;
4. chest pain,irregular heartbeat, or feeling like you might pass out;
5. dangerously high blood pressure;
6. severe headache;
7. blurred vision;
8. buzzing in your ears;
9. anxiety;
10. confusion;
11. irregular heartbeats;
12. seizure;http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html
13. mental/mood problems
14. bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia;
15. high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension);
16. stroke; or
17. overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Let your doctor know if you have any of the following side effects:

1. feeling restless or confused;
2. uncontrolled muscle movements;
3. change in sexual ability/interest; or
4. unusual thoughts or behaviors.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4151-Phentermine.aspx?drugid=4151&drugname=Phentermine

Common side effects may occur. If they become worsened or do not go away, contact your doctor. These include: feeling nervous or anxious, dry mouth, itching, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.

Be sure to keep all your medical and laboratory appointments so your doctor can check the safety of you taking phentermine.

Be sure to ask the pharmacist any questions you may have when refilling your prescription.

Keep a list of all medications you are taking with you at all times. This list should include herbal supplements, non-prescription medications, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications. This list can be important in case of an emergency.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for dizziness and high blood pressure while using this drug.

Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate.ref?http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4151-Phentermine.aspx?drugid=4151&drugname=Phentermine</ref>

Be sure to let your doctor know if you are allergic to phentermine or any other medications.

Give the doctor a list of all the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, and other over-the-counter medications. Especially let him know if you are taking:

1. Prozac, Luvox, guanethidine;
2. insulin;
3. Nardil or Parnate (even if you stopped taking them in the last two weeks);
4. medications for weight loss or depression;
5. Paxil, or
6. Zoloft.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605

Also be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following:

1. high blood pressure medications;
2. oral diabetes medications;
3. Hylorel, Ismelin;
4. antidepressants (Elavil, Etrafon, Ascendin, Anafranil, Norpramine, Sinequan, Janimine, Tofranil, Pamelor, Vivactil, or Surmontil).http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

Be sure to let your doctor know if you have any of the following conditions because you should either not take phentermine if you have any of them or take a lower dosage: high blood pressure, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, in an agitated state, an anxiety disorder, seizures, or abuse alcohol or drugs.

Do not drive or operate machinery when taking phentermine until you know how this drug affects you.

Drinking alcohol can add to the drowsiness that phentermine causes. If you are taking insulin you may need a larger dose when taking phentermine. Be sure to use phentermine with caution and under the supervision of your doctor.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605

Stopping phentermine suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms such as depression and extreme tiredness, especially if you have been taking it for a long period of time. When stopping phentermine, do it gradually over time.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQnlwELDqRA

This video discusses why this author believes diet pills were only approved for shorter period of times. He disputes the reason they were approved prior to 1985 for such a short period of time was because they felt that bad habits could be changed within that period of time. Apparently later on the FDA tried to say it was for safety reasons. This author feels it was actually because appetite suppressants work dramatically to suppress appetite for the first six weeks, along with weight loss, then they tend to level off after that.

Phentermine should be taken once daily either one hour before breakfast or one to two hours after breakfast. It could also be taken three times a day before meals at a lower dosage. It should be taken 10 – 14 hours before bedtime because it could cause problems sleeping at night. The usual dosage is 30/mg day.

If you are taking the sustained-release capsules do not crush, chew or break the capsules, take them whole. If they are broken too much medication could be released and increase the side effects.

How much medication you are prescribed will depend on your medical condition and how you respond to it. The doctor may adjust your dosage. Be sure to take the medication regularly and exactly how it is prescribed so you get the most benefit from it. Try to take it at the same time each day. It should only be taken for a few weeks at a time and should not be taken with any other appetite suppressants. The longer you take the medication the greater the possibility of serious side effects.

Do not take more phentermine than prescribed, or take it for longer than prescribed because it can become addictive. Stop taking the medication when the doctor tells you to.

After a few weeks this medication may stop working for you. Do not increase the dose unless your doctor tells you to. The doctor may instruct you to stop taking phentermine at this point.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4151-Phentermine.aspx?drugid=4151&drugname=Phentermine

Taking high doses of phentermine may cause skin problems, insomnia, personality changes, or irritability and hyperactivity.

If you have increased hunger or if you feel phentermine is not working properly for you, stop taking it.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and taken your regularly scheduled dose. Do not double dose.

If you believe you have taken too much medication, or if you are suffering from the following overdose symptoms, get emergency medical attention. Symptoms of overdose are: hallucinations, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling restless or aggressive, irregular heartbeat, stomach pain, tremors, rapid breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, or seizures.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

Be sure to follow the diet and exercise program your doctor has given you as it works best in combination with a diet program.

Store the medication at room temperature and keep away from excess moisture and heat.

Throw any unused medication away in a safe manner.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Do not take this medication if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, in an agitated state, an anxiety disorder, seizures, or abuse alcohol or drugs.

Do not take more of this medication or for a longer time than prescribed as it can become addictive and cause serious side effects.

Do not share this medication with anyone. Keep it in a safe place away from heat and moisture.

Phentermine should only be taken for a short period of time. If you feel hungry or it stops working, let your doctor know.

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any medications.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

Do not take phentermine with any other diet medications without your doctor's advice. 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.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html The combination of phentermine with fenfluramine is no longer sold in the United States. Phentermine is also only used on a short-term basis.http://www.medicinenet.com/phentermine/article.htm

Do not take phentermine if you are allergic to phentermine or other stimulants, or if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, are in an agitated state, or abuse alcohol or drugs.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

Do not take phentermine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan, Nardil, Azilect), Eldepryl, Emsam, or Parnate within the past 14 days. If the MAO is not cleared from your body it can cause life-threatening side effects.

Since it is not known whether phentermine is safe to take when pregnant, do not take it. Do not breastfeed because it can pass to the baby through the breast milk.

This medication should not be taken by anyone under age 16 without the advice of your doctor.

Phentermine can be habit forming and should never be shared with anyone else, especially if they abuse drugs and/or alcohol. Keep the medication in a safe place where others cannot get to it.http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html