People who are obese may need help when trying to reduce their weight to healthy levels. To this end, physicians may prescribe a sympathomimetic appetite suppressant such as Bontril, generically named phendimetrazine tartrate, to accompany exercise and a weight-reducing diet. The Mayo Clinic points out that such dieting aids gradually become less effective in three or four weeks, so doctors typically prescribe them only for short-duration treatment. The idea, the Mayo Clinic reports, is to change eating and exercising habits while the appetite suppression takes effect.
Hypertension
While several less common or rare serious side effects have been reported from the use of Bontril, the Mayo Clinic states only one commonly occurs. The use of the medicine may induce an increase in the person's blood pressure. This may indicate a serious health problem related to the medication, so the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a physician as soon as possible if it occurs.
Agitation and Nervousness
Bontril, according to RxList.com, has similar pharmacology to amphetamines, so the medication acts as a stimulant. This can produce psychological side effects classified as common and non-serious, Drugs.com reports. The person using Bontril may feel various levels of agitation, primarily during the first day or two of use, until his body acclimates to the medicine. He also may feel nervous without obvious cause, and he may experience restlessness.
Insomnia
The stimulant effect of Bontril also may cause problems for the user when she tries to sleep. If she used the medication later in the day or at night, she may have trouble sleeping. For this reason, physicians recommend taking this kind of drug early in the day. This also will help the drug suppress the appetite at the time of day when most people eat.
Constipation and Diarrhea
Bontril may cause disturbances in the patient's digestion of food, generally when he begins its use, Drugs.com indicates. He may experience cramping in his abdomen as well as either excessive, urgent defecation or the inability to defecate. Both of these side effects should pass within a few days.
Blurry Vision and Headaches
Because Bontril works in the brain to suppress the appetite, it can have other, unintended effects in the person's head at the start of use. It may make it difficult for her to focus correctly when looking at nearby or faraway objects. She also may get headaches for a day or two when starting Bontril use, Drugs.com reports.
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