Phentermine. What is it? Does it work?

I am often asked by patients and peers about a medication called Phentermine. Many people assume that this is the "Bad Fen" in FenPhen.

Well, it is not. It actually is the "Good Phen". So that's the first thing I tell them. The second thing I tell them, "It works"

Phentermine is the first line "anorectic (appetite suppressant)" for obesity treatment. It has a long half life of 18-24 hours, which means it stick around in your body and that you only need to take once or twice a day.

The starting dose of the medication is often a half tablet of 37.5mg of phentermine.

Phentermine has a few very good effects

1. The immediate effect of reducing hunger by acting in the brain at the periventricular nucleus

2. The second is an effect longer term on eating restraint. Which lasts during treatment.

3. The third and more long term effect of controlling carbohydrate cravings. Some but not all feel this.

Who can't take phentermine?
1. People who are pregnant.
2. People who are nursing an infant.
3. People with a rare allergy to phentermine.

You should always take the medication under the supervision of a physician. In other words, online ordering of Adipex-P should be avoided unless instructed by a physician!

This is because, like all medications, there are adverse effects. These include:
1. Palpitations, skipped heart beats
2. Insomnia, rare but does happen <3%
3. Irritability, can happen as well
4. Rare cases of dry mouth 1 in 1000
5. others not listed but very rare like Bladder spasm, migraine HA

So the take away is this.
See your doctor if you are having difficulty losing weight. The "Good" Phen may be what the doctor orders!