![]() The FDA approved it in 2012 as an addition to healthy lifestyle behaviors such as increased exercise and a calorie-reduced diet.Ĭompared to three other commonly prescribed drugs for weight loss, the combination of phentermine and topiramate was associated with the highest odds of losing at least 5% of initial body weight ( 13). Topiramate and phentermine is a combination medication sold under the brand name Qsymia. Topiramate is a drug that has been used on its own to treat seizures but, like phentermine, also has appetite-reducing properties ( 6, 11, 12). While phentermine has been shown to be effective for weight loss, it may work better when combined with topiramate. If you haven’t lost much weight after 3 months of using it, a healthcare professional may recommend discontinuing the medication.įurther, its effectiveness appears to gradually decrease after prolonged use of more than a year ( 5, 6, 9, 10). However, not everyone responds the same way to this medication. To put this into perspective, a 5–7% weight loss is 10–14 pounds (4.5–6.4 kg) for a person who weighs 200 pounds (90.7 kg). Some people report even more weight loss than this ( 5, 6, 9, 10). The average weight loss when taking phentermine is 3% of your initial body weight after 3 months and 5–7% after 6 months. Though the FDA approved it only for short-term use of less than 12 weeks, healthcare professionals often prescribe phentermine off-label for longer use.ĭoctors may prescribe it intermittently, meaning you take a break from the medication for a set period of time before resuming it ( 5, 9). Several clinical studies have shown that phentermine can support meaningful weight loss. Phentermine is most often used for weight loss, but may also be used in combination with the medication topiramate to help with certain eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder (BED) ( 8). Its chemical structure is similar to that of the stimulant drug amphetamine, and it’s available only with a prescription. Phentermine is an FDA-approved drug intended for weight loss. However, a healthcare professional will likely recommend other weight loss strategies first, such as exercise and a calorie-reduced diet. Healthcare professionals may also prescribe it if you have excess weight with a BMI greater than or equal to 27 and have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes ( 4, 5). It’s chemically similar to the stimulant amphetamine, which is also a controlled substance ( 3).Ī healthcare professional may prescribe phentermine if you have obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Because taking phentermine comes with a risk of dependence, it is considered a controlled substance. Phentermine is a stimulant and is available if you have a prescription. You can also find it in combination medications for weight loss, such as Qsymia, which combines phentermine and another drug called topiramate. Today, phentermine can be used on its own and goes by the brand names Adipex-P, Lomaira, and Suprenza. This drug combination was commonly called fen-phen.Īfter reports of significant heart problems in users, the FDA pulled the other two drugs that were used in the treatment - fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine - from the market ( 2). In the 1990s, drug makers combined phentermine with other weight loss drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 1959 for short-term use of up to 12 weeks for people older than 16 ( 1). ![]() Phentermine is a prescription weight loss medication.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |