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SAFETY

As with any medication, there are people who should not take this drug. It is not recommended for those who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse as it can be habit forming. Serious medical conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, kidney disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease as well as others may prevent a person from using phentermine. Pregnant and nursing women should not use this medication. For those who are under 18 and over 60, it may not be possible to take this medicine as studies have not been conducted on youth and the elderly. It is only for use under a physician’s care. Do no take late in the day, as it may disrupt sleep cycles, and do not drink alcohol as it can increase dizziness (Phentermine.com).

There are many medications that could react adversely with phentermine. Any street drugs, alcohol, asthma medication, caffeine pills such as NoDoz, Pemoline, MAO inhibitors, as well as any medication you regularly take should be reported to your doctor before you begin using phentermine (Phentermine.com).

Phentermine has many side effects that could occur. Some common ones are dry mouth, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, constipation (“Phentermine”), irritability, diarrhea, headache, change in sexual desire, and nervousness. These should go away as the user’s body adjusts to the medication. If the symptoms persist, or one of the following side effects should occur, users should speak to their doctor at once: chest pain, swelling of legs or feet, trouble breathing, fainting, and a decreased ability to exercise (Phentermine.com).

It is vital that users take the prescribed dosage of the drug. Phentermine users will build up a tolerance to the medication, and some people will compensate by taking more pills (“Weight-Loss Medications”). Symptoms of overdose include irregular heartbeat, overactive reflexes, restlessness, stomach cramps, hallucinations, panic, and others. Users should contact their doctor immediately if they suspect overdose (Phentermine.com).

ADDICTION AND ABUSE
Phentermine is closely related to amphetamines. Users of phentermine are very susceptible to developing a physical and psychological addiction to it (Phentermine). If a user begins to feel a strong need to persist in taking this medicine or a need to increase the dosage of the medicine to keep feeling the effects, a doctor should be contacted. Quitting the drug “cold turkey” after a longtime high dosage use can cause symptoms of withdrawal, such as severe irritability, changes in personality, excessive tiredness or weakness, depression, intense nightmares, skin disease, shaking, excited activity, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and skin disease. See a doctor before a change in medicinal intake (Phentermine.com).

DEATHS
Phentermine by itself has not caused any deaths; it is in combination with other medications that this has occurred. Fen-phen related deaths have occurred because of heart valve disease or primary pulmonary hypertension. Primary pulmonary hypertension happens 1 in 500,000 in the general population, but among users of fen-phen it occurred 1 in 20,000 persons (“Fen-Phen Deaths”). In Preble County, Ohio, one woman’s family sued the makers of fen-phen for her death in 1997. Her death was caused by heart related conditions she developed since the beginning of her treatment with fen-phen (Pina).

Herbal fen-phen claims to be all natural and healthier. It is mostly made of ephedra, which is known for its dangerous side effects. As of September 1997, the FDA had investigated 38 deaths of the 800 cases of severe side effects in conjunctions with the ephedrine alkaloids in herbal fen-phen (“Fen-Phen: Risky for Dieters”).