$Unique_ID{BRK03284} $Pretitle{} $Title{phentermine} $Subject{Adipex-P Lemmon Dapex Ferndale Fastin Beecham Ionamin Pennwalt Obe-Nix Holloway Obephen Hauck Obermine Forest Obestin-30 Ferndale hydrochloride Phentrol Vortech Wilpowr Foy Anorectic phentermine appetite suppressant dieting altering nerve impulses appetite control center brain} $Volume{} $Log{ Fastin*0328401.scf Ionamin*0328402.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. phentermine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Adipex-P (Lemmon) Dapex (Ferndale) Fastin (Beecham) Ionamin (Pennwalt) Obe-Nix (Holloway) Obephen (Hauck) Obermine (Forest) Obestin-30 (Ferndale) phentermine hydrochloride (various manufacturers) Phentrol (Vortech) Wilpowr (Foy) TYPE OF DRUG Anorectic INGREDIENT phentermine DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (8 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg) Capsules (15 mg, 18.75 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg) Timed-release capsules (15 mg and 30 mg) STORAGE Phentermine should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. USES Phentermine 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 phentermine tablets, capsules, or timed-release capsules with a full glass of water one hour before meals (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). The timed-release form of this medication should be swallowed whole. Breaking, chewing, or crushing these capsules destroys their timed-release activity and may increase side effects. In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, the last daily dose of this medication should be taken four to six hours (regular tablets and capsules) or ten to 14 hours (timed-release capsules) before bedtime. If you miss a dose of this medication, be sure to 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 of the medication. 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. Dry mouth can be relieved by sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard candy or by 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, or tremors. INTERACTIONS Phentermine interacts with several other types of medications: 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. Barbiturate medications and phenothiazine tranquilizers (especially chlorpromazine) can antagonize (act against) the appetite-suppressant activity of this medication. 3. Phentermine 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) cough, cold, sinus, asthma, diet, 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 phentermine or other appetite suppressants (such as benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine, mazindol, and phenmetrazine), 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. * Phentermine 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 other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor or dentist you are taking this drug. * Phentermine is related to amphetamine and may be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time (both physical and psychological dependence can occur). You should, therefore, not increase the dosage of this medication or take it for longer than 12 weeks without first consulting your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication abruptly--fatigue, sleep disorders, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps or pain could occur. Your doctor may, therefore, want to decrease your dosage gradually. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although studies of phentermine 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.