Phentermine is a medication that is primarily prescribed to help an individual lose weight but is more specifically used for people that are considerably
overweight
and have difficulty losing weight. The drug is actually an appetite suppressant, which means that the way it work is decreasing your overall appetite. In other words,
you won’t feel nearly as hungry as you normally would without the medication thus resulting in a loss of weight.
Basic Information and Special Instructions
When consulting with your health care provider, be sure to be very honest about all of your current medications, especially Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, MAO
inhibitors, insulin, vitamins, etc. as well as your past and current medical history. This includes but is not limited to blood pressure problems, heart problems,
glaucoma,
diabetes, etc.
Keep in mind, this medication may in fact make you drowsy so you should never operate machinery or drive a car when under the influence of this drug until you have
taken it a few times and understand how the medication affects you. By the same token, consuming alcohol can increase the drowsiness.
A few more tips:
If you are pregnant, breast feeding, plan to become pregnant or even become pregnant while on this medication, consult your physician immediately.
If you have diabetes, a large dose of insulin may be needed when taking the prescription drug Phentermine.
You should also store the prescription bottle in a room that stays room temperature but is also from excessive heat and moisture. Therefore, you should keep it out
of the bathroom.
Make sure the bottle is up high enough so that children cannot reach it.
Make sure to keep all your scheduled appointments with your physician as it is important to follow up when taking Phentermine. The doctor will perform lab tests to
check the progress of the medication and how you are reacting to it.
Dosage Information
Phentermine can be purchased in extended-release capsules as well as tablets. There are two ways this drug can be administered – once in the morning either
about an hour before your breakfast meal or an hour to two hours after breakfast or three times per day, about 30 minutes prior meals.
The thing about Phentermine is that it can be habit-forming so you should never take it longer than you were prescribed, a larger dose nor should you take it more
often that advised. This medication should be taken exactly as it is directed on the prescription label and information packet.
Side effects most often occur when you take the medication without meals so it is always best to take with meals. In addition, never crush or chew the extended-release
capsules but if the pharmacists or doc tor approves, the regular tablets may mixed with food by being crushed.
If you should miss a dose then you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, however, you should skip the missed dose and resume your
standard dosing schedule. Don’t ever try to make up for a missed dose by taking two doses at once.
The medication should never be taken with any other appetite suppressant and is usually only administered for three to four weeks at a time.
Side Effects
As with any type of prescribed medication, there can be a number of side effects. Most are pretty common and will go away on their own without any other treatment
needed. However, if any of the following symptoms become severe and don’t go away, inform you doctor as soon as possible:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Unpleasant taste
Dry mouth
Should you experience any of the below symptoms, you should immediately call your physician:
Chest pain
Increased blood pressure
Restlessness
Tremor
Dizziness
Heart Palpitations
Swelling of the legs and/or ankles
Shortness of Breath
Insomnia
Difficulty doing exercise and other tasks that normally you could perform with no problem.
Speak to your doctor about an exercise and diet regimen as Phentermine will work best when blended with a diet plan.
You can also report any side effects that you experience, whether listed here or not, by contacting the Federal Drug
Administration, or the FDA, at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Case of an Emergency or Overdose
You should never take more than dosage listed on the prescription bottle; however, if an overdose occurs in yourself or in someone else in the household or nearby,
you should call the local Posion Control Center at the following number:
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Call 911 immediately if the individual is not breathing and/or has collapsed.
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