Bontril is a brand-name prescription medicine that is marketed by the drug company, Valeant. The medicinal ingredient in Bontril is phendimetrazine tartrate, which was approved by the FDA in 1976 as an appetite suppressant to treat obesity, as cited on Drugs.com. RxList.com notes that phendimetrazine tartrate is considered an "anorexigenic," which functions to stimulate the central nervous system and suppress appetite impulses in the brain. Phendimetrazine tartrate is also manufactured as generic tablets and capsules, but both Bontril and the generic formulations produce the same negative side effects.
Pulmonary Hypertension
DailyMed reports that in a case controlled epidemiological study, the use of "anorectic agents," including phendimetrazine tartrate, was associated with an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, which is considered a rare, but potentially fatal disorder. Pulmonary hypertension involves a dramatic increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, vein and capillaries of the lungs, which causes shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting and can lead to collapse and heart failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the case controlled study, the use of phendimetrazine for longer than three months was associated with a 23-fold increase in the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.
Headache, Dizziness & Blurred Vision
According to Drugs.com, headaches, dizziness and blurred vision are considered common, but not medically serious, side effects of consuming Bontril and generic phendimetrazine tartrate.
Agitation, Nervousness & Restlessness
Agitation, nervousness and restlessness are also considered common side effects stemming from Bontril and generic phendimetrazine usage. This collection of side effects should not be considered surprising as phendimetrazine tartrate is related chemically and pharmacologically to amphetamines and is considered a controlled substance. Heart palpitations have also been reported as a side effect.
Over-stimulation & Trouble Sleeping
Phendimetrazine tartrate works by stimulating the central nervous system, which means an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. Some people feel "over-stimulated" and have difficulty getting to sleep. RxList recommends discontinuing the use of caffeine and other stimulants while taking Bontril or generic phendimetrazine.
Diarrhea & Nausea
Like many pharmaceuticals, phendimetrazine consumption has lead to the negative side effects of diarrhea and nausea in some users, which is a common reaction when the body is introduced to something even mildly toxic for the first time.
Drug Dependence
Because phendimetrazine is chemically and pharmacologically related to amphetamines and classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, chemical and psychological dependency is a very real possibility, according to "Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs".
References
- Drugs.com: Phendimetrazine
- Rxlist.com: Bontril Indications
- Dailymed: Phendimetrazine Tartrate
- Mayo Clinic: Pulmonary Hypertension
- "Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs, Fifteenth Edition: The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions"; Jeffrey Aronson; 2006
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