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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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What side effects can this medication cause?
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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Drug Interactions
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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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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What special precautions should I follow?
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Phentermine or any other drugs.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis (narrowin
g of the arteries), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feedin
g. If you become pregnant while taking Phentermine, call your doctor.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affe
cts you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
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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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