Phentermine Diet Pill Review
Phentermine diet pills belong to the category of centrally acting drugs known as phenethylamines (it is not an amphetamine, but it is related in chemical structure). Phentermine is sometimes sold under various different names – Fastin, Adipex, etc.
How does Phentermine work?
Phentermine diet pills stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and produce a feeling of satiety (fullness). It is speculated that this action, along with as yet undetermined effects on the metabolism are responsible for the loss of appetite seen with this class of drugs. Phentermine can be appropriate for individuals whose eating habits or behavior alone is responsible for excessive weight gain.
Research into the effectiveness of Phentermine diet pills shows an average weight loss of 2-8 kg more than placebo for the same duration of treatment.
Obesity predisposes one to higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, gallstones, certain cancers, and a low body image. Generally, a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 (or slightly less in the presence of other disorders like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia) is considered a significant risk factor of these complications.
Note: Body Mass Index is calculated as so… BMI=weight(kg)/ [height(m)2]. You can use this online BMI calculator to determine yours!
Typically, medical intervention in obesity starts with diet therapy for four weeks, along with an appropriate exercise regime. If this fails to achieve an average weight loss of 0.5kg/week (approximately 1 pound/week) then drug therapy may be recommended. However, underlying hormonal or metabolic diseases should be ruled out prior to initiation of drug therapy.
Phentermine Treatment Guidelines:
The weight loss produced on Phentermine diet pills is greatest during the first few weeks of therapy. The beneficial effect then wears off gradually. Phentermine is therefore best for short term weight management. The drug has to be taken with a restricted calorie diet to produce maximum benefit.
Caution is advised when Phentermine diet pills are taken along with other drugs that act on the brain and the heart. If co-administered with other weight loss drugs such as Fenfluramine, it has been found that they increase the resistance to blood flow in the lung and even cause defects in the heart valves.
Phentermine should never be given along with MAO inhibitors (a class of antidepressant drugs) for fear of acute elevations in blood pressure. If the patient is already on MAO inhibitors, then Phentermine should be started at least two weeks after treatment with the MAO inhibitor has terminated.
The safety of Phentermine diet pills in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers has not been studied enough. It is recommended that the drug not be used in these groups. It has also not been tested sufficiently in younger age-groups, and should not be prescribed to children less than 16 years old.
The drug is also not recommended if pre-existing anxiety states, severe hypertension, advanced coronary heart disease, dysfunction of the heart valves, drug abuse, glaucoma or hypersensitivity to this drug class are known or suspected.
Alcohol consumption may also produce an adverse drug reaction.
At the end of the four week treatment period, the therapy needs to be reevaluated in every case. At the end of this time, a weight reduction of at least 2 kg should have been achieved. This is a predictor that the drug is going to work in a particular individual. If this minimal weight loss is not achieved, a different class of drug may need to be used.
