How Is Phentermine Different From Phentramene?

Phentermine is a prescription drug that is commonly prescribed as an appetite suppressant in the United States. It is much less expensive than other FDA-approved weight loss drugs, and it accounts for more than 50 percent of diet drugs prescribed. Phentermine is commonly sold under brand names Ionamin® and Adipex-P®, as well as the generic phentermine. Alternatively, Phentramene is being touted as an herbal alternative that is available without a doctor's prescription.

Phentermine History

• Phentermine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1959 as a short-term appetite suppressant for weight loss in obese patients. In 1997, phentermine became controversial after many cases of heart valve disease were discovered in people taking a combination of the drug with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine. The combination drug had become popular as people realized that it was effective in appetite suppressant, and it grew to such a point that is was being prescribed at weight loss centers everywhere around the country. The blame for the abnormal valves did not seem related to phentermine, and the FDA did not ask the drug manufacturers to remove it from the market.

Use of Phentermine

• Phentermine is prescribed for weight loss, and is meant to be combined with behavior modification, diet, and exercise. Typically prescribed for people that have increased medical risks due to their excessive weight, the medication works by releasing norepinephrine. This chemical messenger is the one which signals a fight-or-flight response, and it also reduces hunger. It is also being prescribed in combination with anti-depressant drugs like prozac, celexa, and zoloft. The anti-depressants enable phentermine to work better and longer.

Control of Phentermine

• Phentermine is a controlled subtance in the United States and can only be prescribed by a licensed medical professional to their patients. Because it is closely related chemically to amphetamines, phentermine has the potential for abuse. Like other controlled substances, the rules for obtaining it are more strict, and there are much more strict penalties and fines for using or buying phentermine without a prescription.

Buying Online

• Though phentermine is available for purchase online, it is illegal to buy it. Because of its controlled substance registration, it can only be prescribed by a licensed medical care practitioner with a legitimate doctor-patient relationship to the person being prescribed the medication. Purchasing phentermine after an online "consultation" does not meet this requirement, and can subject the patient to federal and state criminal prosecution.

Phentramene

• Phentramene is sold online on many websites, without need for a prescription. It is being sold online as "herbal phentermine." Most websites seem to be selling a hoodia-based appetite suppressant using the confusing moniker Phentramene, but there is no connection between it and the prescription drug phentermine. Because these are herbal preparations, they are not subject to FDA testing or approval.

  Consult your physician if you are interested in losing weight. Any weight loss drugs should be prescribed by someone who knows your history and any medical issues, for your own safety.