Drug Information - Phentermine
Chemical Name: Phentermine (FEN-ter-meen)
This medicine is an appetite suppressant used along with diet, exercise, and
behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform
your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that
you are taking. Do not use this medicine if you are also taking guanadrel,
guanethidine, furazolidone, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, or monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions,
allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of this medicine is not recommended
if you have a history of heart conditions, brain or spinal cord disorders,
atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism. Contact your
doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this
medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Swallow
whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Take your dose in the
morning before breakfast or 2 hours after breakfast as directed by your doctor.
Be sure you take your dose at least 10 to 14 hours before bedtime. Store this
medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and
light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it
is after noon, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take 2 doses at once.
Do not exceed the recommended dose or take this medicine for longer than
prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or
taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may cause serious side effects.
Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine.
Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or
over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not drive, operate
machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you
react to this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments,
emergency care, or sugery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this
medicine. For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor
the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if
this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this
medicine.
Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include restlessness,
nervousness, difficulty sleeping, or dry mouth. If they continue or are
bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed
above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness,
tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach
cramps.
Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not
use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the
reach of children.
