|  | Diet Nutrition | Weight Loss

What Is Phentermine 15Mg?

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant in the amphetamine and phenethylamine class that is available with a physician's prescription. It is primarily intended for obese patients who are at increased medical risk due to their weight, and is meant to be used in combination with diet, exercise and positive lifestyle changes.

  1. History

    • Phentermine was first approved for public use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959. It has since been available under a number of brand names. In the 1997, a clinical study showed that phentermine, when taken with a combination of the drugs fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen) can lead to heart valve disease. The FDA subsequently asked drug companies to remove both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine from the market. However, they did not make a similar request concerning phentermine.

    Function

    • Phentermine releases norepinephrine into the brain, triggering a fight or flight response that suppresses hunger. In the body, phentermine triggers the release of adrenaline, which causes fat cells to break down stored fat.

    Time Frame

    • The FDA has approved phentermine for short-term use in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. The maximum recommended period that anyone should take phentermine, according to the FDA, is 12 weeks.

    Considerations

    • There are several circumstances under which phentermine should not be taken. Patients who are pregnant or nursing or taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) should not take phentermine. Additionally, anyone taking dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, guanadrel, guanethidine or who has an allergy to any of phentermine's ingredients should not take the drug. Patients who have health conditions such as any type of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, glaucoma or brain and spinal cord disorders should also not take the drug. As some supplements or drugs may interact, patients should consult their doctors before taking phentermine.

    Side Effects

    • Phentermine has shown similar side effects to other amphetamines, including increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. It has also been known to cause restlessness, insomnia and dry mouth, fatigue, hypertension, irritability, euphoria, blurred vision, heartburn, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, clumsiness, dizziness, headache and nausea. Other side effects have been reported in rare cases.

Weight Loss - Related Articles