For a brief period of time, overweight people who are exercising and following a low-calorie diet can utilise phentermine to accelerate their weight loss. The drug phentermine belongs to the group of drugs known as anorectics. It functions by reducing appetite.

Tablets and extended-release capsules of phentermine are available. It is typically taken three times a day, 30 minutes before meals, or as a single dose in the morning. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the phentermine directions exactly.

The average duration of treatment with phentermine is 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your personal response to the drug. An addiction to phentermine is possible. Never exceed the recommended dosage, frequency, or duration of use. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not split, chew, or crush the extended-release (long-acting) tablets if you are taking them. Some tablets can be broken up and combined with food.

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For more information, consult your physician or pharmacist.

Before taking phentermine,

• If you have an allergy to phentermine, any other medications, or any of the substances in phentermine pills, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and non-prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: sertraline, fluvoxamine (Luvox), guanethidine, insulin for weight loss and depression, paroxetine (Paxil), and fluvoxamine (Luvox) (Zoloft). Additionally, let your doctor know if you are currently using any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have just discontinued taking any of these drugs. Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have had had heart disease, high blood pressure, a history of drug misuse, arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), diabetes, glaucoma, or high blood sugar.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking phentermine.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking phentermine with your doctor. Phentermine is often not recommended for usage by older persons because it is less safe than alternative drugs that can be used to treat the same disease.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• Inquire with your doctor if drinking is safe for you to do while taking phentermine. The negative effects of phentermine can be exacerbated by alcohol.
• You might need to take less insulin if you have diabetes while taking phentermine. If you have any concerns or questions, call your doctor.

Observe the diet and exercise regimen that your doctor has recommended. When used in conjunction with a diet plan, phentermine performs best.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with phentermine. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Mouth ache
• Unappealing flavour
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Higher blood pressure
• Heart flutters
• Restlessness
• Dizziness
• Tremor
• Insomnia
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Ankles and legs swelling
• Exercising more challengingly than you previously were able to

Other negative effects of phentermine are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking phentermine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to phentermine, your doctor will request a number of lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. The drug phenteramine is under control. Only a certain amount of prescription refills are permitted, so ask your pharmacist any queries you may have before doing so.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.