Contents of Bontril

The "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties" cites that Bontril is a brand-name prescription medicine promoted by the drug company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals; it was approved in 1976 by the FDA as an appetite suppressant and is used to treat obesity. The active content of Bontril consists of phendimetrazine tartrate, which has become a generic drug widely used in other diet products, according to Drugs.com. Bontril is formulated as two varieties: 35mg "Bontril PDM" tablets, and 105mg "Bontril Slow Release" caplets. Bontril PDM tablets contain other inactive ingredients.

Active Phendimetrazine Tartrate

Phendimetrazine is classified as a "sympathomimetic" and "anorexigenic," which effectively functions to suppress appetite responses in the brain, as noted on Rxlist.com. Dailymed adds that phendimetrazine is meant to be prescribed for obesity only within the initial few weeks of a more encompassing treatment regime, because the body resists the effects of the drug after that time-frame. Thus, weight loss from Bontril use occurs in the short-term, but should be part of a weight loss program consisting of long-term strategies, such as nutritional and exercising information. Drugs.com reminds us that phendimetrazine is considered a Schedule-3 controlled substance; therefore, physical and psychological addiction is possible along with the potential for withdrawal symptoms.

Inactive Binders, Fillers & Lubricants

Binders are needed in pharmaceutical tablets to keep all the ingredients together, especially during the high pressures of the formation and compounding processes, according to the "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties." Dailymed notes the following binders in Bontril PDM tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, modified sodium-starch glycolate and compressible sugar.

Fillers are needed to make pharmaceutical tablets larger, making them more convenient to produce and consume. The following Bontril PDM ingredients are considered fillers: lactose anhydrous and microcrystalline cellulose. Lactose also provides a smooth, powdered texture to the tablet's exterior coating.

Lubricants are needed in tablets to keep the ingredients from clinging to the production equipment. Magnesium stearate is the lubricating agent within Bontril PDM tablets, as noted on Dailymed.

Inactive Dispersers, Sweeteners and Coloring Agents

Dispersing agents, like povidone, are readily soluble in water and act to dissolve the Bontril PDM tablet quickly, thus dispersing the active ingredient, phendimetrazine, for more efficient absorption, as cited in "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties." Purified water is also used within Bontril tablets, which can be considered a solvent for the other ingredients and contribute to dispersing the active ingredient.

Bontril PDM tablets are somewhat sweet to the taste because of the compounding sugar binder and the confectioner's sugar that's within the outer shell. Bontril PDM round tablets are colored either blue or yellow, and contain either: D&C-Yellow number 10, FD&C-Blue number 1 and/or FD&C-Yellow number 6 Aluminum Lake. Purified water is also needed to mix these edible dyes.