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What Is It
Phentermine is used, in combination with diet and exercise, to help you lose weight. It works by decreasing your appetite
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from Phentermine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dry mouth
- unpleasant taste
- diar
rhea
- constipation
- vomiting
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- increased blood pressure
- heart palpitations
-
restlessness
- dizziness
- tremor
- insomnia
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- dizziness
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- difficulty doing exercise that y
ou have been able to do
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Cautions
Phentermine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry f
or more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of developing dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus in
fections.
This medicine may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being or to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you rea
ct to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
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Before Using This Medicine
Before taking Phentermine,
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Phentermine, call your doctor.
- yo
u should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by thi
s drug.
- if you have diabetes, you may need a larger dose of insulin while taking Phentermine. Call your doctor if you have questions or problems.
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Other medical problems
Pregnancy¡XIf a pregnant woman takes this medicine in high doses or more often than the doctor has directed, it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby. Also, medicines similar to Phentermin
can cause birth defects in the newborn baby if a pregnant woman takes them in high doses. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
- Breast-feeding¡XDiethylpropion and benzphetamine pass into breast milk. It is not known if other Phentermine pass into breast milk. However, use of Phentermine during breast-feeding is not r
commended, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
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How should you take this medication?
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.
To prevent side effects, Phentermine should be taken with meals. If you are taking an extended-rel
ease (long-acting) product, do not chew or crush the tablet. There are some tablets that can be crushed and mixed with food.
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