Generically identifiable as Phentermine HCL, phentermine is an appetite suppressant classed as a sympathomimetic amine. The drug achieves this by directly affecting the central nervous system although it isn’t clear how exactly how it helps people lose weight. Other than curbing your appetite, some physicians believe that phentermine works by increasing the amount of energy required by the body and/or by directly altering the functioning of some parts of the brain.

Phentermine is considered a last resort before surgery mainly due to the fact that it comes with numerous risks and dangerous side effects. Phentermine is also highly addictive. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance that is illegal to purchase or possess without a prescription. As a result, the market is often flooded with counterfeit phentermine medication, some of which are diet supplements and mere placebos.

When combined with doctor-approved diet reductions, exercise programs, and behavioral changes, phentermine is known to induce significant weight loss in obese people. And although the results will vary from patient to patient, as is often the case with weight loss medication, many patients experience positive results when they use the drug as prescribed and adhere to the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes.

The medication is taken orally and can either be issued in once-a-day doses of 37.5mg or smaller doses that can be taken three times a day. Being a powerful stimulant, one of the side effects of phentermine is insomnia. As such, doctors recommend that the medication is taken about fourteen hours before bedtime.

In order to be effective and to avoid inducing severe side effects, it is imperative that phentermine medication is taken exactly as per the physician’s prescription. Regular visits to the doctor will help you regulate your daily phentermine intake to a safe minimum in order to avoid the rare possibility of becoming addicted to the weight loss medication as well.

In some cases, the drug may stop working or cause adverse effects even when the patient follows the doctor’s instructions. This is a common occurrence that is often brought on by personal health issues and it can only be resolved by consulting your doctor.

Common Phentermine Brand Names

Phentermine is available in a variety of generic and brand name weight loss pills, the most popular of which is undoubtedly Adipex P. Depending on the country you’re in, you can purchase potent phentermine diet pills with a prescription at any local pharmacy.

1. Adipex-P.

Adipex P. is the most common brand name diet pill that contains 37.5mg of phentermine as its main active ingredient. The medication exists in the form of a slow-release capsule that is swallowed whole (chewing or crushing it before ingesting it increases the risk of adverse side effects taking place) to provide a slow, continuous release of phentermine in the bloodstream.

Commonly prescribed to obese people looking for a drastic way to cut down their weight (other than surgery), Adipex P. is the most sought after phentermine-based weight loss medication. As with any phentermine weight loss medication, Adipex P. is effective when accompanied by plenty of exercises, a reduced calorie intake, and a significant tolerance to the (sometimes) extremely adverse effects of the drug.

It is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals in the United States where it is considered a schedule IV controlled substance that cannot be bought without a doctor’s prescription.

The demand for weight loss medication such as Adipex P. varies with the seasons, summer being the period of high demand and winter being when the demand dies out. Its price, just like any other weight loss medication, varies at selected pharmacies.

Adipex P. comes in the form of a fairly recognizable white pill with significant blue specks that seem embedded into it. Counterfeit Adipex P. pills try to imitate its appearance but often fall short since the blue specks are hard to replicate without introducing new ingredients to the drug.

The medication contains 37.5mg of phentermine and as such, it is completely normal to experience a mild discomfort the first time you take it. It is the most potent phentermine-based weight loss pill and as such, it has its fair share of side effects and also benefits as well.

2. Generic Phentermine

Phentermine is also largely available in the form of a generic medication manufactured by KVK Tech. Known as the K 25 Phentermine pills, these white and blue capsules mainly exist in 37.5mg dosage forms but there are also 15mg and 30mg options available. Most doctors recommend gradually upping the dosage from 15mg to 37.5mg with time, but only if the lower dosages prove to have little to no effect on the weight of the patient.

Once again, these drugs are illegal in most countries and cannot be privately bought within the United States. They are highly addictive and come with an array of adverse side effects. They are however the cheapest form of phentermine diet pills that are currently available.

3. Loimara

Loimara is a fairly new KVK Tech diet pill that has been termed an Adipex P. replacement for those who are too afraid of the side effects linked to the latter drug. Although they are almost exactly alike, these pills are quickly gaining popularity across the world as suitable Adipex P. substitutes despite the fact that they feature the same active ingredient.

Loimara stands out from most phentermine diet pills in the market since it contains the lowest amounts of the appetite suppressant in each pill. The 8mg pills are however intended to be taken three times a day. Nevertheless, the overall phentermine intake is lower than the usual 37.5mg and as such, the side effects might be a bit milder. Consequently, Loimara diet pills take longer to have any positive effect on the weight of an individual.

Despite being viewed as the next big thing in diet pills, they are still phentermine-based and as such, come with the same adverse side effects including the risk of addiction and withdrawal symptoms. They are the only phentermine diet pills that can be taken more than once a day.

Loimara pills have a very distinct shape and color. They are white pills flecks of blue that are shaped like small doggy treats. Due to their increasing demand, Loimara pills are some of the most known expensive phentermine diet pills in the market. They also have a lot of counterfeits and cannot be purchased without a prescription as well.

4. Vivus Qsymia

The Vivus Qsymia diet pill is a much less popular phentermine diet pills simply because it is more expensive than Adipex P. and Loimara. It contains, by far, the highest concentration of phentermine (46g) combined with 7.5mg of the FDA-approved anticonvulsant drug called topiramate. Of all the brand name and generic phentermine options, Qsymia has the least red tape associated with its purchase and possession. It is, however, more lethal when abused since it contains the highest levels of phentermine.

For about $500 a bottle, you get more aggressive appetite suppression and increased energy levels for longer. However, there is still no guarantee that this phentermine pill will be effective on everyone. It is also more likely to elicit severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

5. PhenObestin

PhenObestin can best be described as the herbal version of the brand name Adipex P. 37.5mg dietary supplement. Although it contains no phentermine, the constitution of PhenObestin 37.5mg possesses the same stimulative and appetite suppressing properties also.

To most people, PhenObestin is the legal alternative to Adipex P. and other phentermine diet supplements. It is a fairly aggressive appetite suppressant with an alluringly low price tag and plenty of hype over its effectiveness in helping obese people reduce weight. What is often left out is the fact that two of its main ingredients, N-Methyl-B-Phenylethylamine HCL and Yohimbe Extract, have been flagged as dangerous by the FDA.

Despite the red flags that surround what can best be termed a cocktail of stimulants, PhenObestin remains the next best alternative for people looking for a phentermine substitute that can be obtained without a prescription.

Phentermine Precautions, Interactions, Dosage, and Side Effects

1. Precautions

Inform your doctor about the allergies you may have to sympathomimetic amines before you take any phentermine medication. If you have previously experienced allergic episodes after using other appetite suppressants or decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, there is a high chance that the inactive ingredients within phentermine will elicit an allergic reaction if taken. Your doctor should be able to guide you to the next best alternatives.

Phentermine and other phentermine-based medication should not be taken in light of certain medical conditions. Consult your doctor on the best course of action if you have a history of alcohol and/or substance abuse and/or if you have previously suffered or suffer from glaucoma, vascular heart diseases, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, pulmonary hypertension, mood impairments and mental disorders such as psychosis, bipolar, schizophrenia, and extreme anxiety.

You should also let your doctor know your medical history especially if you have diabetes, heart problems, kidney problems, seizures, and recurrent high blood pressure. For people with diabetes, your diabetes dosage may be adjusted by your doctor to prevent dangerous drug interactions with the sympathomimetic amine. You will also be required to constantly ensure your sugar levels are regulated as per your doctor’s instructions.

One should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking phentermine since it induces dizziness, blurred vision and, sometimes, causes drowsiness. Activities that require you to be alert should be put on hold until the medication is out of your system. Also, avoid taking any alcoholic beverages while on this medication.

Elderly people might experience the side effects of phentermine and other phentermine-based medication more severely on account of the deterioration of the kidney’s functioning with age. As such, they are more at risk to experience symptoms such as acute dizziness and an increase in high blood pressure.

This medication should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. It may cause harm to an unborn baby and it can also be passed from the mother to the child via breastfeeding. For patients with nursing infants, make sure your doctor is aware beforehand.

Finally, notify your doctor or dentist that you’re taking phentermine medication before undergoing surgery of any kind.

2. Interactions

Phentermine may interact dangerously with other drugs including appetite suppressants such as ephedra and diethylpropion. Let your doctor know about all the medication you’re on before starting any phentermine medication.

You should not stop or change the dosage of any drug you’re taking after you have already started taking phentermine without consulting your doctor. He/she may already be aware of the aforementioned drugs and may be watching to see if they have any adverse interactions.

MAO inhibitors interact dangerously with Adipex P. and other phentermine medication, sometimes to the point of having fatal implications. Not only should you avoid taking MAO inhibitors such as tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, isocarboxazid, methylene blue, procarbazine, moclobemide, and linezolid when on this medication, you should ensure that you have not taken any of the inhibitors two weeks prior to the commencement of your phentermine medication.

Phentermine should not be taken with TCAs, SNRIs such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, duloxetine, and venlafaxine, other stimulants, guanethidine (high blood pressure medication), and narcotics such as MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine. Notify your doctor if you’re currently on other forms of medication, whether herbal, non-prescription or otherwise. You should also let it be known if you’re currently using medication that induces drowsiness, such as carbamazepine (anti-seizure medication), psychiatric medicines such as amitriptyline, risperidone, and trazodone, antihistamines, ADHD medication, muscle relaxants, pain relievers such as codeine, and sleep-inducing medication such as zolpidem, alprazolam, and diazepam. Check to ensure that all the medicine you’re currently taking—herbal or non-herbal—does not contain diet aids, decongestants, or any other constituents that may trigger an increased heart rate and raise your blood pressure.

Adipex P. interacts dangerously with medication such as Redux (dexfenfluramine) and Phen-Fen (fenfluramine) and often results in the onset of a rare and highly fatal lung condition known as pulmonary hypertension.

Phentermine is an extremely powerful stimulant and as such, it can react with stimulants as mild as caffeine. Keep your caffeine intake in check (whether it’s tea, coffee, or other caffeinated beverages) and refrain from consuming large amounts of chocolate.

Using phentermine will interfere with brain scans, particularly those used to diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

3. Dosage

Adhere to the following guidelines in order to prevent complications from arising when taking phentermine medication such as Adipex-P.

· Do not deviate from the prescribed dosage by either increasing or reducing your phentermine intake without first consulting your doctor. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, at the stipulated times, and accompanied by the recommended dietary requirements and physical exercise.

· Medication such as Adipex P. can be taken about 1 hour before breakfast or 1 to two hours after breakfast. Taking them with food is not absolutely necessary.

· It is ILLEGAL to share your phentermine medication with ANYONE especially if they have a history of alcohol and substance abuse. Always know the amount of your medication and alert your doctor when your dosage is almost running out.

· Do not take phentermine medication of any sort past 6 PM as it may induce restlessness and insomnia.

· If the particular medication you’re on does not seem to be working or is only resulting in increased hunger pangs, don’t take matters into your own hands by increasing or decreasing the dosage in any way. Instead, visit your doctor to know whether you qualify for an alternative form of medication. Overdosing on phentermine has serious life-threatening side effects.

· Medication with high concentrations of phentermine such as Adipex P. 37.5 should be taken intermittently in short spans of a few weeks at a time to prevent addiction and the onset of severe side effects.

· Don’t cut off your phentermine intake abruptly or you could suffer from serious withdrawal symptoms. Instead, consult your doctor to learn how best you can be weaned off the medication to avoid any serious repercussions.

· Keep your pill bottle in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from the reach of children and generally safe from people who may abuse the drug.

· Your doctor should conduct regular laboratory tests to monitor the effects of the drug on your body and to see whether there is any progress.

In case you miss a dose:

Do not take it if it is almost time for your next dose. Otherwise, missed doses should be taken as soon as possible to avoid ruining the dosing schedule. Do not try to compensate for a missed dose by taking two instead of one. You may experience grave side effects that could potentially put your life in danger.

In case you overdose:

Overdosing on phentermine medication is almost always fatal if help is not sought soon enough. Call the emergency poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.

Important dosage information:

For adults: Adipex P. 37.5mg should be taken orally once a day 1 hour before or 2 hours after breakfast. Alternatively, it can be taken as 18.75mg half pills twice a day.

For children: Adipex P. and other phentermine medication are not recommended for patients under the age of 17 years.

4. Side Effects

When taking any phentermine weight loss medication, it is common to experience symptoms such as the following:

· Dizziness.

· Nausea.

· Dry mouth.

· Vomiting.

· Diarrhea.

· Constipation.

· Insomnia.

· Restlessness.

These are considered mild side effects that are only mildly to moderately disconcerting. As such, it is not necessary to seek medical attention unless they become unbearable.

However, if you experience any of these serious side effects after taking Adipex P. or other phentermine medication, consult your doctor immediately:

· Mood changes such as irrational anger and agitation.

· Hallucinations.

· Unexplainable nervousness.

· Rapid and uncontrolled muscle movements (spasms).

· Fast or irregular beating of the heart.

· Loss of interest in sex/ an increased sexual appetite.

If these side effects appear during the course of your medication, you should stop taking it and seek medical attention immediately:

· Talking in a slurred manner (as if intoxicated).

· Severe and incessant headaches.

· Unexplainable weakness on one side of the body.

· Blurred vision and other vision changes.

· Seizures.

Rarely, phentermine medication can trigger a fatal lung condition known as pulmonary hypertension. It also increases the risk of heart disease significantly after prolonged use. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

· Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath even after mild exertion.

· Chest pains accompanied with lightheadedness.

· Inability to exert yourself even in the mildest of ways.

· Feelings of delirious happiness or unexplainable sadness.

· Losing consciousness.

· Swollen ankles and feet.

Other than the listed side effects, phentermine can also elicit serious allergic reactions in people who are allergic to medication such as Adipex P. Call your doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

· Difficulty breathing.

· Tightening of the chest.

· Severe dizziness.

· Breakouts of rashes.

· Itchiness and/or swelling of the tongue, throat, or face.

How Much Weight Can One Lose Using Phentermine?

Despite being the most widely recommended weight loss supplement in the market, a lot of people are still unsure about phentermine’s capabilities, particularly how much weight it can help them lose. As is the norm with non-surgical weight loss solutions, losing weight while on phentermine medication takes time. It can take as little as two weeks or as long as a month to see any progress on the scale.

A lot is dependent on your lifestyle. Dietary programs are usually offered alongside phentermine doses to not only speed up the process but also to keep the body healthy throughout the process of losing weight. In order to experience satisfactory progress within short periods of time, it is essential that the patient adopts healthy eating habits and improves his/her body’s metabolism by partaking in physical exercise.

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

The only way to ensure that phentermine is effective and without too many side effects is to adhere to the doctor’s instructions which will include a diet and exercise regime that is specifically suited for you. As for the exact figure, you can lose anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds in a month depending on your body’s tolerance to the appetite suppressant, how well you follow the prescription, your daily eating habits, and much more. To better understand how phentermine is of benefit to you, you should have a comprehensive talk with your doctor to learn about the various side effects, dosages, and where to place your expectations. And because everyone is different, the results will always vary quite significantly so don’t expect to lose as little or as much weight as other patients.

During the first week is when you can expect to see a lot of progress as the body sheds its water weight. Your body may or may not lose more than two pounds depending on your original weight. However, the weight loss process should be gradual, controlled, and not harmful to your health in any way.

After the first week, your body is expected to continue to lose weight at a rate of about 2 pounds per week. Once again, this is just an estimative figure so individuals may lose more or less weight depending on certain factors. Losing weight at a rate of faster than 2 pounds a week could indicate that you are not just burning fat, but also losing important muscle mass.

Have Reasonable Expectations

In addition to following the doctor’s orders, adopting a healthy diet, and exercising regularly, it is important that you also keep your expectations reasonable. As effective as it is, it takes a time to see any significant weight loss changes when using phentermine medication, even if you use the highly potent Adipex P. dietary supplement. Having unrealistic expectations is the reason why most people give up on phentermine too soon. Expect to lose not more than 2 to 3 pounds a week. As small as that may seem, it ramps up to quite an impressive accumulative total in the long run.

Work to Permanently Lose Weight

Most of the weight loss fad diets out only offer fast-acting but temporary solutions to your problems. Once you go off those diets, you will find yourself stacking on the pounds you worked so hard to lose.

The pounds that you lose slowly and gradually are unlikely to come back even after you go off the medication. This should be your aim; to lose weight permanently rather than to have an effective short-term solution that will eventually leave you in the same position as before.

How to Get Phentermine HCL Medication

The easiest and only legal way to obtain any phentermine HCL medication is by getting it prescribed by your doctor. Although it is widely available in pharmacies across the United States and other countries, buying it over the counter or ordering it online is considered illegal.

Getting a phentermine prescription

Doctors consider phentermine medication to be the last resort before the patient is subjected to weight loss surgeries such as liposuction. As such, there it has to be established that the patient is indeed suffering from obesity even after trying various weight loss methods unsuccessfully. A visit to the doctor is absolutely necessary in order to get a phentermine prescription.

Once there, the doctor will factor in the following things:

· Overall health – some medical conditions such as high blood pressure and various heart disorders can worsen with the introduction of phentermine into the body. The doctor needs to make sure that the patient’s body is capable of handling the effects of the appetite suppressant before administering it.

· Age – People under the age of 17 are not eligible for phentermine medication on account of it being analogous to amphetamines. Elderly people, on the other hand, might have more problems and experience much harsher side effects after using the drug since their kidneys will not be functioning at optimum levels. Furthermore, age is a risk factor for conditions such as high blood pressure and various heart problems which can be accelerated by the introduction of phentermine into the body.

· BMI – One of the necessary evaluations, before phentermine is prescribed, is determining whether the patient is overweight. This can be arrived at easily by calculating the patient’s Body Mass Index (the patient’s height divided by their weight). Patients with a BMI over 30 are considered obese and as such, qualify for phentermine medication. However, some patients with a BMI over 25 may also be qualified based on other medical reasons.

Phentermine medication is prescribed in 30-day doses at a time for health reasons. Each bottle of medication goes for around $100 (Adipex P. may be cheaper). After finishing a dose, your doctor will first evaluate whether you need to continue the medication or stop taking it before prescribing another 30-day dose or starting to gradually taper your phentermine intake. Remember, phentermine can be addictive and it can have serious health implications if abused.

Your usual hospital should be the first place to ask for a phentermine prescription. However, since doctors don’t always qualify their patients for phentermine medication based on one reason or the other, there are few other options you can try:

1. Weight loss clinics

The weight loss clinics around your area are the next best option since they are capable of legally prescribing phentermine for their patients. Visit one if your doctor will not prescribe the medication for you although keep in mind that getting a prescription from a weight loss clinic will cost you significantly more money.

2. Online pharmacies

When buying anything online, drugs or otherwise, one generally has to be wary of the products they’re purchasing. Buying phentermine medication online is tricky since there are a lot of knockoff products. Furthermore, it is considered illegal to buy and ship phentermine via mail.

If you choose this option, be keen on how the product’s name is written. Instead of phentermine, some online pharmacies sell phentarmine or phentremine. Others sell fake pills disguised as official brand name pills like Adipex P. Buying phentermine online should generally be the last option.

Buying phentermine medication in other countries

Outside of the US, phentermine is sold under different names. Duromine and Lonamine tablets are some of the more popular ones. They were banned from the US for having side effects that were too adverse even when taken correctly. However, they are the most sought after phentermine medication in Australia and they go for no less than $100 per bottle.

Other than appetite suppression, the pills don’t do much in terms of increasing the body’s metabolic functioning to enable it to digest food better. The pills come in 30-day dosages that are only accessible via doctor’s prescription in Australia.