$Unique_ID{BRK03282} $Pretitle{} $Title{phenmetrazine} $Subject{Preludin Endurets Boehringer Ingelheim Anorectic phenmetrazine appetite suppressant dieting nerve impulses appetite control center brain} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. phenmetrazine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAME (Manufacturer) Preludin Endurets (Boehringer Ingelheim) TYPE OF DRUG Anorectic INGREDIENT phenmetrazine DOSAGE FORM Sustained-release tablets (75 mg) STORAGE Phenmetrazine should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. USES Phenmetrazine is used as an appetite suppressant during the first few weeks of dieting to help establish new eating habits. This medication is thought to relieve hunger by altering nerve impulses to the appetite control center in the brain. Its effectiveness lasts only for short periods (three to 12 weeks), however. TREATMENT You can take phenmetrazine with a full glass of water one hour before meals (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). This medication should be swallowed whole. Breaking, chewing, or crushing these tablets destroys their sustained-release activity and may increase the side effects. To avoid difficulty in falling asleep, take the last dose of this medication each day ten to 14 hours before bedtime. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, false sense of well-being, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, nausea, nervousness, restlessness, stomach pain, sweating, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the drug. If you experience mouth dryness, try sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard candy or chewing sugarless gum. In order to prevent constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so). Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about changes in sexual desire, chest pain, difficulty in urinating, enlarged breasts (in both sexes), fever, hair loss, headaches, impotence, menstrual irregularities, mental depression, mood changes, mouth sores, muscle pains, palpitations, rash, sore throat, tremors, or unusual bleeding or bruising. INTERACTIONS Phenmetrazine interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Use of it within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine can result in high blood pressure and other side effects. 2. Tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazine tranquilizers (especially chlorpromazine) can antagonize (act against) the appetite-suppressant activity of this drug. 3. Phenmetrazine can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of antihypertensive medications (especially guanethidine) and may alter insulin and oral antidiabetic medication dosage requirements in diabetic patients. 4. The side effects of other central nervous system stimulants, such as caffeine or over-the-counter (nonprescription) diet, cough, cold, sinus, asthma, or allergy preparations, may be increased by this medication. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to phenmetrazine or other appetite suppressants (such as benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine, mazindol, and phentermine), or to epinephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine, amphetamines, dextroamphetamine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, albuterol, metaproterenol, or terbutaline. * Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or if you now have or have ever had angina, diabetes mellitus, emotional disturbances, glaucoma, heart or cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease. * Phenmetrazine can mask the symptoms of extreme fatigue and can cause dizziness or light-headedness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken. * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. * Phenmetrazine is related to amphetamine and may be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time (both physical and psychological dependence can occur). Therefore, you should not increase your dosage of this medication or take it for longer than 12 weeks, unless you first consult your doctor. It is also important that you not stop taking this medication abruptly--fatigue, sleep disorders, mental depression, nausea or vomiting, or stomach cramps or pain could occur. Your doctor may, therefore, want to decrease the dosage gradually in order to prevent or minimize these side effects. * Phenmetrazine 75-mg sustained-release tablets contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (fainting, shortness of breath, or rash) in certain susceptible individuals. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although studies of phenmetrazine in humans have not been conducted, some of the appetite suppressants have been shown to cause side effects in the fetuses of animals that received large doses during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.