Adipex-P

Adipex-P is an oral medication for weight loss in patients who are obese and who have an initial body mass index which is greater or equal to 30 kg/m², or greater or equal to 27 kg/m² in the presence of other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. It serves as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It contains phentermine hydrochloride, a sympathomimetic amine.

Adipex-P is available as capsules and tablets, both containing phentermine hydrochloride 37.5 milligrams.

Instructions

Adipex-P should be taken by mouth usually once a day. It is usually taken one hour before breakfast or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast. The dosage should be adjusted according to doctor’s instructions.

Sustained-release capsules are usually once a day before breakfast or at least 10 to 14 hours before bedtime.

You should swallow the medication whole and avoid crushing or chewing sustained-release capsules so that side effects are minimized. Do not take Adipex-P with other appetite suppressants. Do not increase the dose unless instructed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Continue to use it as prescribed by your doctor or as stated on the package label.

Interactions

Adipex-P may interact with drugs such as the following:

• Other appetite-suppressant drugs in the past year such as diethylpropion, sibutramine, or ephedra/ma huang)
• MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine
• Drugs for depression such asTCAs (imipramine, SSRIs and SNRIs such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, duloxetine)
• Drugs for diabetes such as insulin, sulfonylureas (glipizide)
• High blood pressure medicine such as guanethidine and methyldopa
• Phenothiazines such asprochlorperazine, promethazine and chlorpromazine
• Other stimulants such as amphetamines, methylphenidate, street drugs such as cocaine or MDMA/"ecstasy"
• Certain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine
• Anti-seizure drugs such as carbamazepine
• Medicine for sleep or anxiety such as alprazolam, diazepam or zolpidem
• Muscle relaxants
• Narcotic pain relievers such as codeine
• Psychiatric medicines such as risperidone, amitriptyline, and trazodone
• Isoniazid (INH)
• Theophylline
• Caffeine

Side Effects

There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Warnings

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have the following conditions:

• Allergy to phentermine and to other sympathomimetic amines such as pseudoephedrine, amphetamine, and diethylpropion
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Glaucoma
• History of alcohol or drug abuse
• Vascular heart disease such as chest pain and heart attack
• Mood problems such as severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis or schizophrenia
• High blood pressure in the lungs or pulmonary hypertension
• Stroke
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Diabetes
• Controlled high blood pressure
• Other heart problems such as heart murmur, abnormal heartbeat and heart valve problems
• Kidney disease
• Seizure problem
• Pregnancy and lactation