What is the most important information I should know about phendimetrazine?
Weight loss during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, even if you are overweight. Do not use phendimetrazine if you are pregnant.
Phendimetrazine may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Phendimetrazine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not stop using phendimetrazine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using phendimetrazine.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open the extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
What is phendimetrazine?
Phendimetrazine is similar to an amphetamine. Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.
Phendimetrazine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity.
Phendimetrazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phendimetrazine?
Do not use phendimetrazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to phendimetrazine, or if you have:
- a history of heart disease (coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension);
- heart murmur or heart valve disorder;
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- overactive thyroid;
- glaucoma;
- severe agitation or nervousness;
- if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse; or
- if you are allergic to other diet pills, amphetamines, stimulants, or cold medications.
To make sure you can safely take phendimetrazine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- high blood pressure;
- kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- an anxiety disorder;
- epilepsy or seizure disorder; or
- if you have used other diet pills in the past year (prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal products).
Phendimetrazine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Never share phendimetrazine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category X. Weight loss during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, even if you are overweight. Do not use phendimetrazine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether phendimetrazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using phendimetrazine.
Phendimetrazine should not be given to a child younger than 17 years old.
How should I take phendimetrazine?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Phendimetrazine should be taken only for a short time, such as a few weeks.
Phendimetrazine is usually taken once daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take phendimetrazine on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before your morning meal.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open the extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
You should lose at least 4 pounds during the first 4 weeks of taking phendimetrazine and eating a low calorie diet. Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the medication for 4 weeks.
Do not stop using phendimetrazine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using phendimetrazine.
Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much phendimetrazine could be very dangerous to your health. Talk with your doctor if you have increased hunger or if you otherwise think the medication is not working properly. Taking more of this medication will not make it more effective and can cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
A dose taken too late in the day will cause insomnia.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of phendimetrazine can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms of a phendimetrazine overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, confusion, panic, hallucinations, extreme restlessness, feeling tired or depressed, ringing in your ears, chest pain, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, seizure, or slow breathing (breathing may stop).
What should I avoid while taking phendimetrazine?
Phendimetrazine may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of phendimetrazine.
What are the possible side effects of phendimetrazine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using phendimetrazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;
- swelling in your ankles or feet;
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- confusion or irritability, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
- dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
- feeling restless or hyperactive;
- headache, dizziness, tremors;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- dry mouth;
- diarrhea or constipation, upset stomach; or
- increased or decreased interest in sex, impotence.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect phendimetrazine?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- insulin or oral diabetes medications;
- certain blood pressure medications, such as doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin); or
- any other diet pills.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with phendimetrazine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about phendimetrazine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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