According to Mosby's Drug Consult, Bontril is a branded prescription drug manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Valeant. It was approved by the FDA as an appetite suppressant in 1976. The active ingredient in Bontril is phendimetrazine tartrate, which is now a generic drug used in other brands of diet pills, as noted on RxList.com. Drugs.com reports that Bontril is marketed as 35 mg tablets, Bontril PDM, and as 105 mg "slow release" capsules, Bontril Slow Release. In addition to its active ingredient phendimetrazine, Bontril PDM also contains inactive, nonmedicinal ingredients.
Phendimetrazine Tartrate
Phendimetrazine, a sympathomimetic drug, is also an anorectic (or anorexigenic), which means an appetite suppressant, according to DailyMed. DrugLib.com points out that phendimetrazine is meant to be used only for short-term treatment of obesity, as the effects of the drug tend to decrease after a few weeks. Therefore, weight loss from Bontril is greatest within the first few weeks of a medically supervised diet program, which should include information about nutrition, proper eating habits and exercise. Because phendimetrazine is a central nervous system stimulant with pharmaceutical properties similar to those of amphetamines, it can lead to psychological addiction and stimulant withdrawal syndrome. It is a Schedule III controlled substance.
Binding Agents
DailyMed lists the following inactive, nonmedicinal ingredients of Bontril PDM tablets as binding agents: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, compressible sugar and isopropyl alcohol. Binding agents bind all the ingredients together and ensure that tablets stay intact under the pressures of the compounding process.
Disintegrating Agent
Sodium starch glycolate also acts as a disintegrating agent, which expands and quickly disintegrates in the gut, causing phendimetrazine to be absorbed more efficiently, according to Mosby's.
Filling Agents
Microcrystalline cellulose and lactose anhydrous act as fillers, which make the Bontril tablet bigger and easier to handle both by the producers and consumers. Fillers are typically inert, water soluble, colorless and tasteless.
Diluent/Excipient
Lactose anhydrous, a white crystalline powder derived from whey protein, is also considered a diluent and excipient.
Dispersing Agent
Bontril PDM tablets contain povidone. This acts mainly as a dispersing agent for phendimetrazine, because it is readily soluble in water and a good emulsifier, according to Mosby's.
Lubricating Agent
Magnesium stearate is also found in Bontril PDM tablets, and acts as a lubricating agent throughout the compounding process in its manufacture. Lubricants prevent the ingredients from sticking to the manufacturing equipment and the tablets from sticking to one another once bottled, according to Mosby's.
Dyes and Sweetener
Bontril PDM tablets are round and either green or yellow in color. Both are somewhat sweet on the tongue. They contain confectioner's sugar, FD&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #1 and FD&C Yellow #6.
Pure Water
The last ingredient is purified water, which can be considered a mixing agent or solvent for the other ingredients.
References
- "Mosby's Drug Consult"; C.V. Mosby; 2004
- Drugs: Bontril Tablets
- RxList: Bontril Tablets
- DailyMed: Bontril Tablets
- DrugLib: Bontril Capsules
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