Drug Side Effects Info

Phentermine is a prescription medication approved as a short-term weight-loss aid for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Phentermine works mostly as an appetite suppressant, along with an appropriate diet, exercise, and behavior modification for obesity treatment in adults.

It is approved for short-term (up to 12 weeks) use, following which the appetite suppressant effect of phentermine usually wears off. As it is chemically similar and may share some of the interactions associated with amphetamines., phentermine is a controlled substance in many countries and is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight.

With obesity on the rise, more people are looking for alternatives to lose weight. Although the ideal weight-loss plans focus on gradual weight loss by healthy eating and exercising, many people have difficulty following such plans. Weight-loss pills are usually considered by those who have tried unsuccessfully to control their obesity, before turning to drastic measures such as weight-loss surgery.

It is worth noting, though, that phentermine is meant to treat exogenous obesity (caused by overeating and exercising too little) and is not to be used to treat obesity due to a known medical cause such as hypothyroidism.

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with phentermine, though in general most people tolerate it well. In most cases, side effects occur when the amount of phentermine taken is higher than the recommended prescription. Among others, phentermine is known to cause dry mouth as well as insomnia; the latter most probably caused by its stimulating property.

Phentermine has also been reported to cause certain sexual side effects, including changes in sex drive and impotence. Other common side effects include diarrhea, headache, skin rash or itching, tiredness, sense of well-being, blurred vision and heartburn/acid reflux.

On the whole, Phentermine can cause side effects that may impair thinking or reactions. In this context, one should be careful while driving or doing anything that requires being awake and alert. Alcohol should be avoided entirely as it can increase some of the side effects of phentermine; otherwise it should be taken in moderation only.

Phentermine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. To avoid abuse, a patient is advised to keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of their prescription. Some people may also show withdrawal symptoms upon cessation after long period of use, such as depression and extreme tiredness.

As such, it is not recommended to stop using phentermine suddenly without consulting a doctor first. Patients who want to stop taking phentermine are usually taken off the prescription gradually before they can stop the medication completely.

Phentermine may also produce side effects such as tachycardia (increased heart rate), palpitations and elevated blood pressure. In addition, phentermine has the potential to cause physical and psychological dependence.

Less common symptoms include severe nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, lightheadedness or fainting, dizziness, hallucinations, hostility, irregular blood pressure, mental depression following a period of excitement, restlessness, panic, convulsions/seizures, trembling or shaking, and overactive reflexes.