Brand name:
Phentermine
Generic Name: phentermine (FEN ter meen)
Brand names:
Adipex P (Immediate release)
Anoxine-AM
Ionamin (Slow Release Resin, Australia, discontinued in the US) Duromine (Slow
Release Resin, New Zealand, Australia & South Africa) Fastin
Mirapront Obephen Obermine Obestin-30 Phentremene Phentrol Phenterex Phentromin
Pro-Fast SA Redusa Panbesy Phentermine Trenker Obenix
Oby-Trim Teramine
Zantryl Sinpet (MX) Supremin (PH)
Umine (NZ) Weltmine (KP)
Phentermine Description : What is phentermine.
Phentermine, a contraction for "phenyl-tertiary-butylamine",
is an appetite suppressant of the amphetamine and phenethylamine class.
It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce
weight in obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise,
diet, and behavioral
modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased
medical risk because of their weight and works by helping to release
certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite.
History
--
Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. It is
an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.
Phentermine is used togther with diet, exercise and behavioral modification
to treat obesity (excessively 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.Phentermine
hydrochloride, USP has the chemical name of a,a-Dimethylphenethylamine
hydrochloride. The structural formula is as follows:
Phentermine hydrochloride is a white, odorless, hygroscopic, crystalline
powder which is soluble in water and lower alcohols, slightly soluble
in chloroform and insoluble in ether.Phentermine hydrochloride, an anorectic
agent for oral administration, is available as a capsule containing 15
mg, 30 mg or 37.5 mg of Phentermine hydrochloride (equivalent to 12 mg,
24 mg and 30 mg respectively of Phentermine base) and as a tablet containing
37.5 mg of Phentermine hydrochloride (equivalent to 30 mg of Phentermine
base).Phentermine hydrochloride capsules 15 mg contain the inactive ingredients
D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C
Red #3, FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake, Gelatin, Lactose Monohydrate,
Magnesium Stearate, Talc and Titanium Dioxide.
Phentermine hydrochloride capsules 30 mg and 37.5 mg contain the inactive
ingredients D&C Red #33 (in 37.5 mg only), D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum
Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake,
FD&C Red #3 (in 30 mg only), FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake, Gelatin,
Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate, Pharmaceutical Glaze, Propylene
Glycol, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Black Iron
Oxide, Talc and Titanium Dioxide.
Phentermine hydrochloride capsules 30 mg (Seed Formulation) contain
the inactive ingredients D&C Red #28, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C
Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow
#10 Aluminum Lake, Gelatin, n-Butyl alcohol, Pharmaceutical Glaze, Propylene
Glycol, Povidone, Starch, Sucrose, Synthetic Black Iron Oxide and Talc.
Phentermine hydrochloride tablets 37.5 mg contain the inactive ingredients
Anhydrous Lactose, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Corn Starch, FD&C Yellow
#6 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline
Cellulose, Pregelatinized Starch, Stearic Acid and Sucrose.
Warnings
Phentermine hydrochloride tablets and capsules are indicated
only as short-term monotherapy for the management of exogenous obesity.
The safety and efficacy of combination therapy with Phentermine and any
other drug products for weight loss, including selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine), have
not been established. Therefore, coadministration of these drug products
for weight loss is not recommended.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) – a rare, frequently
fatal disease of the lungs – has been reported to occur in patients
receiving a combination of Phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine.
The possibility of an association between PPH and the use of Phentermine
alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of PPH in patients
who reportedly have taken Phentermine alone. The initial symptom of PPH
is usually dyspnea. Other initial symptoms include: angina pectoris,
syncope or lower extremity edema. Patients should be advised to report
immediately any deterioration in exercise tolerance. Treatment should
be discontinued in patients who develop new, unexplained symptoms of
dyspnea, angina pectoris, syncope or lower extremity edema.
Valvular Heart Disease: Serious regurgitant cardiac valvular
disease, primarily affecting the mitral, aortic and/or tricuspid valves,
has been reported in otherwise healthy persons who had taken a combination
of Phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss.
The etiology of these valvulopathies has not been established and their
course in individuals after the drugs are stopped is not known. The possibility
of an association between valvular heart disease and the use of Phentermine
alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of valvular heart
disease in patients who reportedly have taken Phentermine alone.
Tolerance to the anorectic effect usually develops within
a few weeks. When this occurs, the recommended dose should not be exceeded
in an attempt to increase the effect; rather, the drug should be discontinued.Phentermine
hydrochloride may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially
hazardous activities such as operating
machinery or driving a motor vehicle; the patient should therefore be
cautioned accordingly.Usage with Alcohol: Concomitant use of alcohol
with Phentermine hydrochloride may result in an adverse drug interaction.
Pregnancy :Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted
with Phentermine hydrochloride. It is also not known whether Phentermine
hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
or can affect reproductive capacity. Phentermine hydrochloride should
be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers :
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants,
a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue
the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use phentermine without
Rx/Prescriptions
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Overdosage
Manifestations of acute overdosage with Phentermine include restlessness,
tremor, hyperreflexia, rapid respiration, confusion, assaultiveness,
hallucinations, panic states. Fatigue and depression usually follow the
central stimulation. Cardiovascular effects include arrhythmias, hypertension
or hypotension and circulatory collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Fatal poisoning usually
terminates in convulsions and coma.
Management of acute Phentermine intoxication is largely symptomatic
and includes lavage and sedation with a barbiturate. Experience with
hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is inadequate to permit recommendations
in this regard. Acidification of the urine increases Phentermine excretion.
Intravenous phentolamine has been suggested for possible acute, severe
hypertension, if this complicates Phentermine overdosage.
Before taking phentermine
Do not take phentermine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening
side effects can occur if you take 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 phentermine with any other
diet medications without your doctor's advice.
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to phentermine or other stimulants,
or if you have:
heart disease or high blood pressure;
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); an overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;if you are in an agitated state; or
if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.Before taking phentermine, tell
your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: a thyroid disorder;
anxiety disorder; diabetes; or epilepsy or another seizure disorder.
Phentermine side effects
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.
Stop using phentermine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat, feeling like you might pass out;
unusual thoughts or behavior, feeling restless or confused; or
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in
your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats,
seizure).
enerally, phentermine appears to be relatively well tolerated.[5] It
can produce side effects consistent with its catecholamine-releasing
properties, e.g., tachycardia (increased heart rate) and elevated blood
pressure, but the incidence and magnitude of these appear to be less
than with the amphetamines. Because phentermine acts through sympathomimetic
pathways, the drug may increase blood pressure and heart rate. It may
also cause palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia. Additionally, phentermine
has the potential to cause physical and psychological dependence.
More common :
Insomnia Hypertension Irritability Nervousness Euphoria Dry
mouth Unpleasant taste Blurred vision Heartburn/Acid reflux Changes
in libido Clumsiness
Confusion Diarrhea Dizziness Headache Arrhythmia Nausea or vomiting Psychosis Skin
rash or itching Stomach pain Fatigue
Less common
onvulsions (seizures) Dizziness Fever Hallucinations Hostility
with urge to attack Irregular blood pressure Lightheadedness
or fainting Periods of mania ollowed by period of depression Tremors,
trembling or shaking Overactive reflexes Panic Restlessness Severe
nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Stomach ramps Weakness
Less serious side effects may include:
feeling nervous or anxious;
headache, dizziness, tremors;
trouble sleeping (insomnia);
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
diarrhea or constipation; or
itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose
adjustment or special tests during treatment.
It is not known whether phentermine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take phentermine
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether
phentermine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do
not take phentermine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding
a baby. Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 16 years old without
the advice of a doctor. Phentermine may be habit-forming and should be used
only by the person it was prescribed for. Phentermine should never be shared
with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or
addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to
it.
