Your Guide To Phentermine

Phentermine has helped many obese patients lose weight and has helped scores to change their eating habits. Although banned in some countries, this weight loss drug is regulated in the U.S. by guidelines for Controlled Substances.

What You Should Know:

Phentermine is a weight loss drug, not an over-the-counter supplement. It requires a valid prescription which has been written out on the basis of your medical history and your body mass index. Not all overweight individuals can be prescribed Phentermine. You must be diagnosed as obese with a body mass index of at least 27 to be a suitable candidate.

Phentermine targets the brain and the central nervous system to encourage a release of certain chemicals that suppress hunger and increase the length of satiety. It acts as a caloric restrictor as it tricks the body into feeling full longer, thereby decreasing cravings.

Phentermine is by no means a miracle cure for obesity. It is only a help, an added booster, to speed up weight loss which should occur mainly from a regimented diet and exercise program. It also serves to assist patients get positive reinforcement in the first few stages of incorporating new eating habits.

Phentermine, however, has a very short prescription time with a maximum intake period of only three months. After twelve weeks, the patient must have been able to assimilate the new lifestyle changes in order to lose more weight and keep it off. By this time, weight loss is all dependent now on diet and exercise.

What Not To Take with Phentermine:

As a drug, Phentermine has numerous side effects, some of which can be serious or even fatal, if the drug has been obtained illegally and is taken without a prescription. The purpose of a prescription is to be ascertained of the doctor’s approval of this drug for you as he will have based this on your medical history and present medications.

Even with a doctor’s prescription, it is still hard to predict how your body will adjust to the drug so that any abnormal sign must be reported to your physician. Some of these side effects include mood changes, palpitations, difficulties with urinating, chest pains and the like.

Know that not only are several drugs are contraindicated to Phentermine but other supplements and vitamins as well. Omega-3 fish oil, Vitamins B, C, D and caffeinated food and drinks may slow down the effects of Phentermine. Alcohol is a huge no-no because it increases the side effects Phentermine, one of which is impaired judgement and reaction time.

Prescription drugs such as MAO inhibitors can be fatal or life threatening when taken with Phentermine. Phentermine should not be prescribed if a patient has taken MAO inhibiting drugs in the last 14days. These drugs include:

• Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Rasagiline (Azilect)
• Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)
• Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  

There are more drugs that do not react well with Phentermine. Be sure to advise your doctor of everything you take, may they be prescription or non-prescription pills.

How To Take Phentermine:

Depending on your prescription, Phentermine may be taken on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before a meal or 1-2 hours after a meal. If the drug prescribed is a time-release capsule or tablet, it should not be crushed or chewed but should be taken as prescribed. Because Phentermine can cause some sleeping difficulties or disruption with normal sleeping patterns, it is best taken 4-6 hours before bedtime, if the dose is taken at night.

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. If, however, the time for the next dosage is close, skip the missed dose. Extra doses for the day should never be taken.

How To Store Phentermine:

Phentermine is best stored in an air-tight box and stored at room temperature. No need to refrigerate. It is not advisable to store the pills in your bathroom’s medicine cabinet where it is subject to moisture and heat. Also, keep it in a place out of the reach of children. This drug should not be shared with friends or family members. This is dangerous. Each person’s body is different and every individual needs to go through an evaluative process to be granted their own prescriptions.

Ordering Phentermine:

Phentermine can be legally bought from “brick-and-mortar” pharmacies but online drugstores are now prohibited from selling Phentermine. Be wary of websites that sell Phentermine without requiring a valid prescription. These sites are illegal and may even be selling bogus pills.

In A Nutshell:

If you have been prescribed Phentermine, follow your prescription to the letter and report any unusual side effect you have not been warned about. If you have not been qualified for a Phentermine prescription, there are safe alternatives that give you Phentermine’s weight loss power. A good choice would be Phentramin-D. Read our articles and find out why Phentramin-D can be the best alternative, maybe even better than Phentermine. Phentramin-D requires no prescription but it has the appetite suppressing power of Phentermine. Tell your doctor about it.