Phentermine Precautions
While phentermine is a relatively safe FDA-approved prescription drug for effective weight loss, there are still things you should be aware of before beginning a prescription of phentermine. It’s important that you discuss your options with your doctor to be sure that phentermine is right for you.
Talk to Your Doctor
As you need a doctor’s prescription in order to take phentermine, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about any medical conditions you may currently have or have suffered from. Other medical problems may affect how your body responds to phentermine or any other appetite suppressant. If you have any of the following conditions or have previously suffered from them, please tell your doctor:
– Advanced Atherosclerosis
– Alcohol Abuse (or history of)
– Allergies – if you have ever had an allergic reaction to one of the following, tell your doctor immediately:
• Phentermine Amphetamine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Isoproterenol
• Metaproterenol
• Methamphetamine
• Norepinephrine
• Phenylephrine
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Pseudoephedrine
• Terbutaline
• Other appetite suppressants
• Dyes
• Food preservatives
– Diabetes Mellitus – In the case of sugar diabetes, changing the amount of insulin or oral anti-diabetic medicine that you take may be necessary.
– Drug Abuse or Dependence (or history of)
– Family History of Mental Illness or Mental Illness – you’re more likely to experience depression or other mental illnesses.
– Glaucoma
– Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) – phentermine may cause this condition to worsen.
– Kidney Disease – serious side effects are more likely due to the higher levels of phentermine in the blood.
– Moderate to Severe Hypertension (high blood pressure)
– Symptomatic Cardiovascular Disease
– Monoamine Oxidase (MAO inhibitors) – use of these within 2 weeks prior to your doctor’s visit could also provide risks.
Additionally, if you are pregnant or you are trying to get pregnant, you should discuss your plans to start a family with your doctor. It is unknown whether or not phentermine causes birth defects in humans, and your best bet is not taking it.
Phentermine Contraindications
Certain situations make taking phentermine harmful or dangerous. If any of the following apply to you, you should not take phentermine.
– Alcohol
When it comes to drinking alcohol, you should abstain from doing so while taking phentermine or any other appetite suppressants. Alcohol increases the side effect of dizziness. Do not drink while taking phentermine.
– Diabetes
Phentermine can also cause troubles for those with diabetes. Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. If there is a significant change, contact your doctor immediately.
– Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid)
Phentermine may cause your condition to worsen. Appetite suppressants including phentermine pose a serious risk to those with this condition.
– Kidney disease
Those with kidney disease are at risks for serious side effects while taking phentermine. Because it is in higher concentrations in the blood, phentermine should not be taken by those with kidney disease.
– Driving and hazardous work
Driving as well as hazardous lines of work (such as construction where one operates heavy machinery) is not recommended while on phentermine. It leads to sensations of false well-being, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or being less alert than usual. Phentermine or other appetite suppressants should be taken first with caution to see how they affect each individual person.
– Surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment
Before scheduling any surgery for dental issues or other, you should let the oral surgeon, dentist, and doctor know about your prescription to phentermine. It poses a risk in some cases for serious side effects.
Medications that May Cause Complications
If you’re taking other prescription medications for other reasons, it is important to discuss with your doctor. Certain medicines should not be taken together, but sometimes other medicines are safe to take together as long as the dosages are adjusted. If you take phentermine or any other appetite suppressant, you should tell your doctor if you are currently taking any of these:
• Amantadine, i.e. – Symmetrel
• Amphetamines
• Caffeine, i.e. – NoDoz
• Chlophedianol, i.e. – Ulone
• Cocaine
• Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems
• Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays)
• Methylphenidate, i.e. – Ritalin
• Nabilone – i.e. Cesamet
If you are taking other diet pills or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like the following, be sure to tell your doctor:
• Citalopram, i.e. – Celexa
• Fluvoxamine, i.e. – Luvox
• Sertraline, i.e. – Zoloft
• Fluoxetine, i.e. – Prozac
• Paroxetine, i.e. – Paxil
Pemoline, i.e. – Cyler – Medications like this are likely to increase stimulant effects to the CNS (central nervous system) and can cause irritability, trembling, shaking, nervousness, or insomnia.
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors – If you take these while taking phentermine or another appetite suppressant or less than 14 days afterward, you may experience dangerously high blood pressure.
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors include:
• Furazolidone, i.e.- Furoxone
• Phenelzine, i.e. – Nardil
• Selegiline, i.e. – Eldepryl
• Isocarboxazid, i.e.- Marplan
• Procarbazine, i.e.- Matulane
• Tranylcypromine, i.e. – Parnate
Tricyclic antidepressants – When used with appetite suppressants like phentermine, these may cause irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure.
Tricyclic antidepressants include:
• Amitriptyline, i.e. – Elavil
• Clomipramine, i.e. – Anafranil
• Amoxapine, i.e. – Asendin
• Doxepin, i.e. – Sinequan
• Nortriptyline, i.e.- Aventyl
• Trimipramine, i.e. – Surmontil
• Amoxapine, i.e. – Asendin
• Desipramine, i.e.- Pertofrane
• Imipramine, i.e. – Tofranil
• Protriptyline, i.e. – Vivactil
Precautions for Adults 60+
No testing has been conducted in regards to adults over the age of 60. However, it is not known if it works the same way for those over the age of 60 as it does for those younger, or if it can cause other side effects. Adverse reactions are more likely to occur and be more severe in older patients, particularly if they are taking it with other drugs. If you’re over the age of 60, phentermine may not be for you.
Precautions for Infants, Children & Breast Feeding Mothers
It is not recommended to use phentermine or any other appetite suppressant while breastfeeding. This is because the substance may pass through from mother to child in the breast milk, leading to unwanted effects. Consulting your doctor is imperative. Phentermine is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 18. Studies about the effects of appetite suppressants have only been conducted with adult patients, however it is supposed that it is not safe for children or infants.
Store Phentermine Safely
Take the following precautions to safely store phentermine.
– Keep phentermine and any other medications out of reach of children.
– Store in cool, dry place away from heat and direct light.
– Do NOT store in damp places like the bathroom, kitchen, or near sinks. Heat or moisture may cause changes in the composition of the medication.
– Discard all outdated medicine that shows a past due expiration date.
– Ensure all discarded medications are out of the reach of children.