|  | Diet Nutrition | Diet Pills

Phentermine Pills Information

Phentermine is a prescription drug used as a diet aid in conjunction with improved diet and increased exercise. It is also marketed under the brand name Adipex. The medication works to decrease appetite, but cannot be effective without some form of behavior modification. Phentermine is a controlled substance in the United States and its prescriptions are monitored closely by the federal government.

  1. Dosage

    • You can take phentermine pills once per day or three times daily before meals, according to MedlinePlus. Because the pills are stimulants and can be habit forming, most doctors will not prescribe it for longer than three to six weeks. Dosages available in the United States are 15 mg, 30 mg and 37.5 mg.

    Precautions

    • Those with heart disease, high blood pressure, narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), diabetes, glaucoma and a history of drug abuse require special monitoring or should avoid phentermine, according to MedlinePlus. Women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are nursing should not take the drug. If you're on antidepressants such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) you may also wish to avoid phentermine.

    Common Side Effects

    • Like any other medication, phentermine could cause some possible side effects, according to MedlinePlus. Common symptoms reported by patients include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, dry mouth, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. After long-term use of phentermine, the drug may stop working. It is also possible to become emotionally dependent on the medication, and some people have abused phentermine.

    Serious Side Effects

    • Serious medical issues including allergic reaction can result from phentermine, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms that require a doctor's prompt attention include heart palpitations, severe insomnia, increased blood pressure, swelling of the legs and ankles, chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. Other possible serious side effects are as follows: restlessness, tremor and problems doing exercise that did not exist previously.

    Cost

    • Both phentermine and Adipex are usually not covered by most insurance plans. However, a few health care plans will cover part or all of the cost of the medication in some circumstances such as life-threatening obesity. Patient assistance programs are normally not available for prescription diet drugs. As of August 2009, a supply of 90 30-mg generic phentermine capsules was about $105. Brand-name Adipex cost $190 for 30 37.5-mg tablets.

Diet Pills - Related Articles