Overview Of Phentermine

Potential Medication Interactions

Phentermine could cause a potentially fatal lung disease known as pulmonary hypertension if it is taken along with other weight loss medicines. This includes other prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements designed as weight loss aids. Some of the most popular diet medications known to interact with phentermine are fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. Patients should not take any other diet medications while taking phentermine to prevent interactions. They should also let their doctor know about all the medications they use.

Phentermine interacts with more than 150 drugs and is associated with forty-two potentially serious drug interactions. The medication has particularly strong interactions with antidepressants. Examples include fluoxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, and escitalopram. It is also known to interact with metformin, levothyroxine, and liraglutide. After having their doctor check their current medication list before prescribing phentermine, patients should ask their pharmacist to check for potential interactions before the medicine is dispensed.

Get the details on the common dosage recommendations for this medication next.

Common Dosage Recommendations

The dosage that a patient needs for phentermine varies depending on their specific situation as well as what will be effective. In other words, doctors prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest period necessary. As of 2016, patients have access to an eight-milligram pill of phentermine. According to regulations, patients can take this form up to three times daily.

Of course, there is also a combination pill with both phentermine and topiramate. This medication ranges in dosages. The range for phentermine is between 3.75 and fifteen milligrams, and the range for topiramate is between twenty-three and ninety-two milligrams. Patients are often put on the lowest dose for at least fourteen days, at which point their doctor can choose to increase their dose if needed. However, doctors must stop this medication if patients do not lose five percent of their weight after being on a high dose for twelve weeks.

Continue reading to learn about some common medication alternatives next.