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Other medical problems
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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Before Taking 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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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of appetite suppressants. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Alcohol abuse (or history of
) or
- Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)¡XDependence on appetite suppressants may be more likely to develop
- Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)¡XThe amount of insulin or oral antidia
tic medicine that you need to take may change
- Epilepsy¡XDiethylpropion may increase the risk of having seizures
- Family history of mental illness¡XMental depression or other mental illnes
may be more likely to occur
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What side effects may occur?
Appetite suppressants may cause some serious side effects, including heart and lung problems. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine may do as well as the risks of taking it.
<
br> Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with y
our doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Chest pain; decreased ability to exercise ; fainting; swelling of feet or lower legs; trouble in breathing
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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
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How to Use
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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