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Description
Phentermine is used, in combination with diet and exercise, to help you lose weight. It works by decreasing your appetite.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doc
tor or pharmacist for more information.
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Before Using This Medicine
Children¡XStudies on these medicines have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of Phentermine in children with use in other age groups. The use of these
medicines by children younger than 16 years of age is not recommended.
- Older adults¡XMany medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whet
r they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of appetite suppressants
in the elderly with use in other age groups.
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Significant Interactions:
Other medicines¡XAlthough certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your do
or may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking appetite suppressants, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking a
ny of the following:
- Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
- Amphetamines or
- Caffeine (e.g., NoDoz) or
- Chlophedianol (e.g., Ulone) or
- Cocaine or
- Medicine for ast
hma or other breathing problems or
- Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays) or
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Before Using This Medicine
Before taking Phentermine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Phentermine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescriptio
n medications you are taking, especially fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), guanethidine, insulin, MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate)] even if you stopped taking
them within the past 2 weeks, medications for weight loss and depression, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft),and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, high
blood pressure, arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.
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How should this medicine be used?
Phentermine comes in 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. Follow the directions on your prescr
iption label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Phentermine exactly as directed.
Most people take the drug for 3-6 weeks; the length
of treatment depends on how you respond to the medication. Phentermine can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
To prevent side effects, Phentermine should be taken with meals. If you are taking an extended-release (long-acting) product, do not chew or crush the tablet.
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What special precautions should I follow?
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time or in large doses and you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on it, check with your doctor.
Some signs of depend
ence on appetite suppressants are:
- a strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
- a need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
- withdrawal side eff
ects (for example, mental depression, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps or pain, trembling, unusual tiredness or weakness) when you stop taking the medicine.
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