Adipex

What is Adipex-P?

Adipex-P (phentermine) is a prescription medicine similar to amphetamine. Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.

Adipex-P is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.

Adipex-P is used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity, especially in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Important Information

Do not use Adipex-P if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.

You should not use Adipex-P if you have glaucoma, overactive thyroid, severe heart problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, advanced coronary artery disease, extreme agitation, or a history of drug abuse.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Adipex-P if you are allergic to phentermine, or if you have:

• a history of heart disease (coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, stroke);
• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• extreme agitation or nervousness;
• a history of drug abuse; or
• if you take other diet pills.

Do not use Adipex-P if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Weight loss during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, even if you are overweight. Do not use phentermine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

You should not breast-feed while using Adipex-P.

To make sure Adipex-P is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease or coronary artery disease;
• a heart valve disorder;
• high blood pressure;
• diabetes (your diabetes medication dose may need to be adjusted); or
• kidney disease.

Phentermine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.

How should I take Adipex-P?

Take Adipex-P exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Adipex-P is usually taken before breakfast, or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.

Never use phentermine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Taking more of this medication will not make it more effective and can cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

Adipex-P is for short-term use only. The effects of appetite suppression may wear off after a few weeks.

Phentermine may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away phentermine is against the law.

Call your doctor at once if you think this medicine is not working as well, or if you have not lost at least 4 pounds within 4 weeks.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Adipex-P dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Obesity:

8 mg orally 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals, OR
15 to 37.5 mg orally once a day before breakfast or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast.

Use: Short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification, and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater, or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Age 17 Years and Older:
8 mg orally 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals, OR
15 to 37.5 mg orally once a day before breakfast or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast.

Use: Short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification, and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater, or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia).