The Side Effects Of The Diet Drug Adipex-p

Adipex-P is a brand name of a prescription generic drug containing phentermine hydrochloride. Adipex-P is an appetite suppressant for weight reduction used for a short period of time as an adjunct to exercise, behavior modification and a low-calorie diet. The product label says Adipex-P is for people with a body mass index above 30 or above 27 with risk factors for diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol and fats.

Pulmonary Hypertension

The product label for Adipex-P warns users that pulmonary hypertension may result if the drug is used in combination with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine, other weight loss drugs. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare and frequently fatal disease of the lungs. Research by W.D. Bang, published in "Yonsei Medical Journal" in 2010, documented the case of a 29-year-old woman diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension following phentermine treatment. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, chest pain and swelling of the legs. People who experience these symptoms should immediately discontinue taking Adipex-P.

Valvular Heart Disease

People taking Adipex-P, with or without fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine, have a risk for valvular heart disease, according to the product label. Valvular heart disease is characterized by damage in one of the four heart valves: the mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary valve. These heart valves control the flow of blood. Symptoms of valvular heart disease include shortness of breath; wheezing; swelling of the feet, ankles, hands and abdomen; heart palpitations; chest pain; fever; dizziness; and fatigue. Research by J.G. Jollis, published in "Circulation" in 2000, discovered that valvular abnormalities seen in patients who take a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine are most likely to occur in those who have taken the drugs for over six months.

Central Nervous System Side Effects

Common side effects associated with the central nervous system include restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, headache, euphoria, dysphoria and psychotic episodes.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Common gastrointestinal side effects for Adipex-P include dry mouth, unpleasant taste and diarrhea. Research by K. Kim, published in "Yonsei Medical Journal" in 2006, found that dry mouth was a statistically significant side effect that occurred frequently among obese patients taking phentermine.

Other Side Effects

Itchy hives, changes in libido and impotence are also side effects from Adipex-P, according to the product label. Adipex-P may be habit forming, and overdoses may cause tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, depression, high or low blood pressure, abdominal cramps, panic states, convulsions, coma and death.