$Unique_ID{BRK02087}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PHENTERMINE}
$Subject{Adipex-P (Lemmon)
Dapex-37.5 (Ferndale)
Fastin (Beecham)
Ionamin (Pennwalt)
Obe-Nix (Holloway)
Obephen (Hauck)
Obermine (Forest)
Obestin-30 (Ferndale)
Parmine (Parmed)
phentermine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
Phentrol (Vortech)
Wilpowr (Foy)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Fastin*0208701.scf
Ionamin*0208702.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PHENTERMINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Adipex-P (Lemmon)
     Dapex-37.5 (Ferndale)
     Fastin (Beecham)
     Ionamin (Pennwalt)
     Obe-Nix (Holloway)
     Obephen (Hauck)
     Obermine (Forest)
     Obestin-30 (Ferndale)
     Parmine (Parmed)
     phentermine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Phentrol (Vortech)
     Wilpowr (Foy)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Anorectic
INGREDIENT:
     phentermine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (8 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg)
     Capsules (15 mg, 18.75 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg)
     Timed-release capsules (15 mg and 30 mg)
STORAGE:
     Phentermine should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed,
light-resistant containers.

USES

     Phentermine is used as an appetite suppressant during the first few weeks
of dieting, to help establish new eating habits.  This medication is thought
to relieve hunger by altering nerve impulses to the appetite control center in
the brain.  Its effectiveness lasts only for short periods (three to 12
weeks), however.

TREATMENT

     You can take phentermine tablets, capsules, or timed-release capsules
with a full glass of water one hour before meals (unless your doctor directs
you to do otherwise).
     The timed-release form of this medication should be swallowed whole.
Breaking, chewing, or crushing these capsules destroys their timed-release
activity and may increase side effects.
     In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, the last daily dose of
this medication should be taken four to six hours (regular tablets and
capsules) or ten to 14 hours (timed-release capsules) before bedtime.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, be sure to take the missed dose as
soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case,
do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing
schedule.  Do not double the next dose of the medication.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, false sense
of well-being, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, nausea, nervousness,
restlessness, stomach pain, sweating, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or
vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
drug.
     Dry mouth can be relieved by sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard
candy or by chewing sugarless gum.
     In order to prevent constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your
diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads),
exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so).

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
changes in sexual desire, chest pain, difficulty in urinating, enlarged
breasts (in both sexes), fever, hair loss, headaches, impotence, menstrual
irregularities, mental depression, mood changes, mouth sores, muscle pains,
palpitations, rash, sore throat, or tremors.

INTERACTIONS

     Phentermine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Use of it within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
(isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) can result in high
blood pressure and other side effects.
     2. Barbiturate medications and phenothiazine tranquilizers (especially
chlorpromazine) can antagonize (act against) the appetite-suppressant activity
of this medication.
     3. Phentermine can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
antihypertensive medications (especially guanethidine) and may alter insulin
and oral antidiabetic medication dosage requirements in diabetic patients.
     4. The side effects of other central nervous system stimulants, such as
caffeine or over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold, sinus, asthma,
diet, or allergy preparations, may be increased by this medication.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to phentermine or other appetite suppressants
(such as benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine,
mazindol, and phenmetrazine), or to epinephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine,
amphetamines, dextroamphetamine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,
pseudoephedrine, albuterol, metaproterenol, or terbutaline.
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or if you now have
or have ever had angina, diabetes mellitus, emotional disturbances, glaucoma,
heart or cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease.
     * Phentermine can mask the symptoms of extreme fatigue and can cause
dizziness or light-headedness.  Your ability to perform tasks that require
alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery,
may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken.
     * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
doctor or dentist you are taking this drug.
     * Phentermine is related to amphetamine and may be habit-forming when
taken for long periods of time (both physical and psychological dependence can
occur).  You should, therefore, not increase the dosage of this medication or
take it for longer than 12 weeks without first consulting your doctor.  It is
also important that you not stop taking this medication abruptly--fatigue,
sleep disorders, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps or
pain could occur.  Your doctor may, therefore, want to decrease your dosage
gradually.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although studies of
phentermine in humans have not been conducted, some of the appetite
suppressants have been shown to cause side effects in the fetuses of animals
that received large doses during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  It is not known whether this medication passes into
breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
