How Does Phentermine Work?

Phentermine is prescribed for weight loss. 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 function of the brain that releases hunger hormones. Others believe phentermine tricks your brain into thinking you are full by increasing the release of neurotransmitters which stimulate metabolism and suppress appetite. 

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

Common Brands Of Phentermine Pills

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 one of the most common brand name phentermine diet pills that contains 37.5 mg of phentermine hydrochloride as its active ingredient. The medication exists in the form of a slow-release capsule that is swallowed whole (chewing or crushing it before ingesting increases the risk of adverse side effects) 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 often prescribed to individuals who are too obese to receive a bypass or gastric ring surgery. This is so they can get to a healthier weight to be approved for surgery/anesthesia.

It is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals in the United States, where it is considered a schedule IV controlled substance. This means that you can not legally purchase it without a doctor’s prescription. The demand for weight loss medications like Adipex-P varies with the seasons, summer being a period of high demand, and winter being when the demand drops. 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, embedded into the pill. Counterfeit Adipex P pills try to imitate these specks but often fall short. The blue specks are very difficult to replicate without introducing new ingredients to the drug.

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

2. Generic Phentermine

Phentermine is also largely available in the form of a generic medication that is manufactured by KVK Tech. Known as Phentermine K25, 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 37.5 mg over time, but only if the lower dose shows little to no effect on the weight or BMI 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 currently available.

3. Lomaira

Lomaira is a fairly new KVK Tech diet pill that has been coined as 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 even though they feature the same active ingredient.

Lomaira stands out from most phentermine diet pills on 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 dose, and as such, the side effects might be a bit milder. Consequently, Lomaira diet pills take longer to have any positive effect on the weight loss of an individual.

Despite being viewed as the next big thing in diet pills, they are still phentermine-based and 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.

Lomaira pills have a very distinct shape and color. They are white pills with flecks of blue that are shaped like small doggy treats or dog bones. Due to their increasing demand, Lomaira pills are some of the most expensive phentermine diet pills on the market. They also have many counterfeits and like other phentermine medications, cannot be purchased without a prescription.

4. Vivus Qsymia

The Vivus Qsymia diet pill is a much less popular phentermine product, simply because it is more expensive than Adipex-P and Lomaira. 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 names 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 periods. However, there is still no guarantee that this phentermine pill will be effective for everyone. It is also more likely to elicit severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Important Phentermine Dosage Information:

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

• Inform Your Doctor Of Any Allergies Or Medications before you take any phentermine medication. Phentermine may interact dangerously with other drugs or stimulants, including appetite suppressants. 
• Inform Your Doctor If You Have Any Underlying Conditions. Phentermine and other phentermine-based medications should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions. Consult your doctor on the best course of action, especially 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 disorder, schizophrenia, or extreme anxiety.
• 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.
• Before Surgery notify your doctor or dentist that you’re taking phentermine medication 
• Take the medication exactly as prescribed at the stipulated times and accompanied by the recommended dietary requirements and physical exercise. Do not deviate from the prescribed dosage by either increasing or reducing your phentermine intake without first consulting your doctor.
• Taking them with food is not necessary. Medications such as Adipex P. can be taken about 1 to 2 hours before breakfast. 
• It is ILLEGAL to share your phentermine medication with ANYONE. This is a dangerous practice, especially if the person you are sharing with has a history of alcohol and/or 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.
• Don’t increase the dosage. 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, decreasing, or changing 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.
• To prevent addiction: 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. It is usually prescribed in 12-week intervals.
• Don’t cut off your phentermine intake abruptly. You could suffer from serious withdrawal symptoms. Instead, consult your doctor to learn the best way 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 safe from people who may abuse the drug.
• Schedule check-up appointments with your doctor. Your doctor should conduct regular laboratory tests to monitor the effects of the drug on your body and to see whether there is any weight loss progress. They can adjust the dosage accordingly. 

Phentermine Side Effects

There are side effects that you may experience while taking this drug that does not call for medical attention as they are likely to go away on their own over time as your body adjusts to the drug. Additionally, your physician might be able to advise you on how to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of these effects.

Talk to your physician if you are continually experiencing some of the effects below, have any questions to ask about them, or if they are bothering you significantly.

• Dizziness: 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.
• Nausea and vomiting: This medication suppresses appetite which may cause nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Increased Blood Pressure: Phentermine may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and inform your doctor if the results are high.
• Dry mouth: One of the most common side effects of phentermine is dry mouth. A lot of patients experience this on the first day of taking the medicine. Drinking a lot of fluid may help ease dry mouth
• Constipation and/or diarrhea: When taking phentermine, water intake usually increases and calorie intake typically decreases. This may cause diarrhea or constipation.
• Insomnia: 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.
• Loss of interest in sex/an increased sex drive: Because the drug affects the central nervous system of the brain you may notice mood changes including a change in sexual ability. Inform your doctor if the change is drastic. 
• Anxiety/Restlessness: Phentermine is an extremely powerful stimulant and can react with other 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. 

Get Phentermine Results

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 many other factors. 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 estimated (average) 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.

Does Phentermine Work?

Most of the weight loss fad diets out there 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.

Buying Phentermine Online

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 HCl Prescription

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

Once there, the doctor will consider the following factors:

• 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 prescribing 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 optimal 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 qualify for a phentermine prescription. However, some patients with a BMI over 25 may also be qualified, based upon other medical conditions.

Phentermine medication is prescribed in 30-day doses at a time for several 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 doctor or 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 to their patients. Visit one if your doctor will not prescribe the medication for you. 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.

No legally licensed and registered online pharmacy will offer or sell any fake or illegal drugs. There are some steps you can take to ensure that you are using a legitimate online pharmacy. The best thing you can do, if you need to order online, is to check the website with your doctor. He or she will be able to verify if you are looking to fill your prescription through a legal pharmacy online.

Over the Counter Phentermine Alternative

Outside of the US, phentermine is sold under different names. Duromine and Ionamin tablets are some of the more popular ones. They were banned from the US for having side effects that were too adverse and severe, 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.

If you are unable to get a prescription in the U.S. or any other country, you should never try to illegally purchase Phentermine online. There is a plethora of over the counter options that you can try first rather than making the dangerous decision of trying to buy phentermine illegally. Check out some of the most popular supplements that users all over the world are touting and celebrating. Just like with phentermine, you should adjust your daily caloric intake and engage in more exercise to attain the best weight loss results when you start a dietary supplement. And as always, talk with your doctor before starting any over the counter supplement. You are not alone in your weight loss pursuit. Check out the many options that are out there for you. You can do this!