Adipex

(a FDA approved brand name for phentermine)
Also Read Adipex Prescription Information [download as PDF]

Quick Summary

Adipex is an appetite suppressant usually used as a short term supplement to diet and exercise during the course of the obesity treatment. Please remember that adipex should be taken as a part of a weight reduction (weight loss) program which, in addition to the diet and exercise, also includes counseling and behavior therapy, and only for the short-term management of obesity. Again to say, adipex should not be recognized as a complete replacement to the weight loss program, but as an effective supplement to it.

If you are an overweight individual who takes the obesity management seriously, have the lively faith and strong will in success no doubt adipex is right for you.

In medical terms, adipex is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine, and is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" drug. It stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases the patient's heart rate and blood pressure thus decreasing the appetite. More detailed scientific explanation of adipex actions is out of the quick summary scope. Read the Adipex At Work section below to know more.

Read below to get ready for the short-term weight loss course with help of adipex.

Adipex at Work

Adipex, as the most of the other prescribed medications, works with neurotransmitters in the brain (specifically, the hypothalamus gland - a region of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc) to decrease patient's appetite. The neurotransmitters signal a fight-or-flight response in the body which actually puts a halt to the hunger signal. As a result of this activity, adipex causes appetite loss because the brain does not receive the hunger messages.

Scientists insist that adipex is a centrally-acting stimulant by its chemical structure related to amphetamines, which stimulates neuron bundles to release a specific group of neurotransmitters (known as catecholamines), including dopamine, epinephrine (you know this as adrenalin), and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The anoretic activity seen with these compounds being a part of adipex would seem likely because to this effect on Central Nervous System, which corresponds to the current knowledge about Central Nervous System and feeding behavior. This mechanism of action is the same as other stimulant appetite suppressants, for example diethypropion or phendimetrazine.

What You Should Know Before Using Adipex

Actually, be aware of the fact that some medicines or medical conditions may interact with adipex, each one in its own way not always positive. You are to inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking before using adipex.

You must be very selective in taking other drugs. For example, you should definitely inform your doctor if you take the medicines listed below before start using adipex, in order to avoid dangerous consequences:

  • Amantadine (the other name is Symmetrel)
  • Amphetamines
  • Caffeine (also known as NoDoz)
  • Chlophedianol (Ulone)
  • Cocaine
  • Medicine for asthma and other breathing problems
  • Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays)
  • Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin)
  • Nabilone (Cesamet)

Do not use adipex if you are also taking or were taking the following drugs during the last 14 days:

  • guanadrel, guanethidine, furazolidone, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors - MAOI, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil).
  • Taking tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin) can also cause unwanted side effects or decrease the adipex effect.
  • Adipex may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin). This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking guanethidine.
  • Adipex treatment may require changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies.

Your doctor must also know if you are using other diet pills or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as they are not always compatible with adipex: for example, Celexa (citalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Paxil (paroxetine).

Pelmoline (the brand name Cyler) in conjunction with adipex may increase the stimulant effects of the central nervous system, take this into account. These effects include irritability, nervousness, trembling or shaking, and trouble in sleeping.

Never forget to inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding before taking adipex. In general use of adipex is not recommended if you have a history of heart conditions, brain or spinal cord disorders, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism.

Actually, the provided list of drugs and conditions that may interact with adipex is not full and you should talk to your doctor or a pharmacist before taking any prescription and over-the-counted medicines.

Adipex Usage Directions

It is strictly recommended that you follow the adipex usage directions provided by your doctor or pharmacist, or those given in adipex prescription information, which usually comes in an adipex package.

Take adipex 30 mintues to 1 hour before breakfast. Take your last dose of adipex at least 4 to 6 hours before going to the bed. Store adipex at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, far away from heat and light.

If you miss a dose of adipex, take it as soon as possible, but before 4 pm. If it is after 4 pm, skip the missed dose if adipex and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Remember that it may be harmful to take 2 (two) doses of adipex at once.

Cautions

Do not exceed the recommended dose and avoid taking adipex for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. These both factors may cause serious side effects. Do not forget to keep all doctor or laboratory appointments while you are using adipex. If you plan to start taking any other medicine after the adipex, be it prescription or over-the-counter, you should not forget to check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything else that may be dangerous until you understand how you react to adipex. If you are going to have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, it is necessary to tell the doctor or dentist that you are using adipex.

Women who plan to become pregnant should definitely discuss the benefits and risks of using adipex during pregnancy with their doctor. The science has no conclusion if adipex is excreted in breast milk, so avoid breast-feeding while taking it.

As it had already been noted in "what you should know before using adipex" section above, the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of adipex. If you suffer from or have suffered from one or more of the problems listed above, please inform your doctor before start taking adipex.

Adipex may cause unwanted side effects in the following cases:

  • Driving and Hazardous Work - adipex (or other diet pills) may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being or to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than normal. Please avoid driving or engaging in hazardous work until you know how adipex affects you.
  • Infants and Children - adipex (or other appetite suppressants) are not recommended for use by children under age 16. Studies on appetite suppressants have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of adipex in children with use in other age groups.

Side Effects of Adipex

Side effects of adipex may include restlessness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, tachycardia, and increased alertness, but the incidence and magnitude of these appear to be less than with the amphetamines. Because adipex acts through sympathomimetic pathways, it can also increase the blood pressure and heart rate. Palpitations and insomnia may also appear as a result of taking adipex. You should also know that adipex may develop euphoria and a psychological addiction to it.

If mentioned above symptoms continue or are bothersome, immediately check with your doctor. In case you notice other effects of adipex not listed above, please contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Overdosage Effects of Adipex

Overdosage of adipex may cause unwanted effects or become habit-forming, but generally it is unlikely for an overdose of adipex to be life-threatening. Just for your reference, symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

However, regardless to the relative safety of adipex, once you suspect or know for sure of the overdose, the first thing to do must be to contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately to solve this problem as soon as possible. Self-treatment of adipex overdose should never be an option.