Phentermine is the short form of the drug called phenyl-tertiary-butylamine. It is an approved appetite suppressant used for reducing weight in patients with great medical risks due to high degree of obesity. It belongs to the amphetamine and phenethylamine class of drugs.

Some brand names of phentermine

Phentermine or phenyl-tertiary-butylamine is the generic drug name. This drug is marketed in various countries through different brand names. Some of these are:

• Fastin
• Anoxine-AM
• Mirapront
• Phentromin
• Panbesy
• Redusa
• Pro-Fast SA
• Oby-Trim
• Teramine
• Umine

Brief history of phentermine

In the year 1959, FDA formally approved the use of the drug phentermine for the purpose of appetite suppressing. Phentermine hydrochloride subsequently became available in the market during the early 1970s. It was earlier sold under the brand name Fastin from King Pharmaceuticals for SmithKline Beecham. The drug came to be taken off the market in 1998. Currently Medeva Pharmaceuticals sells it as Lonamine while Gate Pharmaceuticals sells it as Adipex. Phentermine was combined with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine in 1990 to form the drug Fen – Phen. This drug was taken off the market in 1997 after some heart valve disease cases were cited. However the FDA did not give any strict order to the manufacturers to completely ban the drug from the market. Phentermine is used today in most countries, including the U.S with utmost caution.

How does phentermine work?

phentermine, in clinical doses works by releasing norepinephrine from the hypothalamus part of the brain. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter which sends signals to the brain for a fight-or-flight response, thereby reducing hunger. Phentermine also works on the external portions of the brain, releasing epinephrine or adrenalin. This causes the breakdown of fat cells thus reducing stored fat.

What is the dosage and administration for phentermine?

FDA restricts the use of phentermine for a short – term period. This is usually taken as 12 weeks. Phentermine has to be combined with other nonpharmacological weight loss techniques like exercise and correct form of dieting.

Warnings and contraindications of phentermine

Some of the conditions under which patients should not be administered this drug are:

• If he or she is allergic to any component in phentermine or other sympathomimetics, like pseudoephedrine.
• If the patient is taking any of the following drugs – dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, guanadrel, or guanethidine. The drug should also not be used in patients who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the past fortnight. An example of this is phenelzine.
• Patients suffering from glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure or blood vessel disease.
• Patients in a state of agitation or having a history of drug abuse.
• Pregnant patients and those who are breastfeeding.

Side effects are usually less common with the drug. Some of these could be tachycardia, restlessness, increased blood pressure, diarrhea, acid reflux, dry mouth, and nervousness. Prolonged use might result in physiological and psychological dependence. However when used restrictively, phentermine is the perfect answer for treating obesity.