Does anybody know about the weight loss drug Phentermine (Fastin)?

Question

I have a friend who is taking Phentermine to lose weight and she has basically stopped eating. She says she doesn't have an appetite, but she has tons of energy all the time. It sounds like it could be addictive. Has anybody had personal experience with this drug or does anybody know about the long-term side effects?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

That's how it works--you stop eating and have energy.
Yes, it is addictive, it's a prescription drug which should be taken under a doctor's supervision. Basically I've found that when it stops working I have to stop taking it or I get addicted. A friend of mine was addicted for years. She recently got off it but she was very sick after so long being on it.
Some uninformed person will no doubt post on this thread that is it part of "Phen-fen" and deadly and has been taken off the market, etc. The "fen" half was the bad half and it has been taken off the market, but the Phentermine half is still legal and available via prescription.

Source(s):

My weight loss and exercise blog: http://itsafatlife.blogspot.com

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks for the info and I love your blog!

Answer 2

Phentermine is a drug primarily used as an appetite suppressant. Chemically, it is an amphetamine (and a phenethylamine). It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight, as opposed to cosmetic weight loss. Phentermine is sold either as an immediate-release formulation (Adipex®) or as a slow-release resin (Ionamin®, Duromine® in Australia and New Zealand).

Clinical use:
Generally, it is recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that phentermine should be used short-term (usually interpreted as 'up to 12 weeks'), while following nonpharmacological approaches to weight loss such as healthy dieting and exercise. However, recommendations limiting its use for short-term treatment may be controversial. One reason given behind limiting its use to 12 weeks is drug tolerance, whereby phentermine loses its appetite-suppressing effects after the body adjusts to the drug. On the contrary, it has been shown that phentermine did not lose effectiveness in a 36-week trial.Due to the risk of insomnia, it is generally recommended that the drug be taken either before breakfast or 1-2 hours after breakfast.


Side effects:
Generally, phentermine appears to be relatively well tolerated.It can produce side effects consistent with its catecholamine-releasing properties, e.g., tachycardia, increased heart rate, increased alertness, but the incidence and magnitude of these appear to be less than with the amphetamines. Because phentermine acts through sympathomimetic pathways, the drug may increase blood pressure and heart rate. It may also cause palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia. Additionally, individuals taking this drug on a long-term basis may develop euphoria and a psychological addiction to it.


Contraindications:
Phentermine should generally be avoided in patients with:
-Agitation
-Allergy/Hypersensitivity to other sympathomimetic amines
-Atherosclerosis
-Cardiovascular disease
-Glaucoma
-High blood pressure
-Hyperthyroidism
-History of drug abuse

Additionally, this drug should not be used at the same time or within 14 days following the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.