Along with a diet meal plan, your doctor may recommend phentermine for weight loss. Carefully follow the regimen prescribed by your doctor for best results. Phentermine can become habit-forming if not taken exactly as directed, warns Pub Med Health. This prescription weight loss drug produces better results when accompanied by a calorie-restricted diet.
What is Phentermine?
Doctors prescribe phentermine--approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1959 for short-term use--as an appetite suppressant. You doctor may recommend this amphetamine-like medication if you need to lose a significant amount of weight, not just a few pounds. Despite most patients gaining back the weight lost using phentermine, it remains one of the most commonly prescribed weight-loss drugs, explains Donald Hensrud, M.D., a preventative medicine specialist with the Mayo Clinic.
Efficacy
A change in diet and phentermine both represent effective methods of weight loss. On average, obese adults taking phentermine in conjunction with dietary counseling lose more weight than individuals using dietary changes as the exclusive method of weight loss in the short-term, according to information provided by the NIH website Daily Med. However, this difference is only a fraction of a pound per week. Additionally, this slight advantage decreases quickly during succeeding weeks.
Healthy Balanced Diet
A balanced diet increases your chances of attaining and maintaining a healthy weight. Instead of a short-term, quick-fix diet emphasizing drastic caloric reduction or elimination of food groups, switch to a healthy, balanced diet to lose weight and influence your future health in a positive way. Consume the proper portions of the six basic food groups presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: fruits, vegetables, calcium- and protein-rich foods, whole grains and fats. Adults without health complications can determine the portion size of each food group best for their weight, age and activity level by using the online My Pyramid Planner tool from the USDA.
Caloric Restriction and Exercise
While you may be able to kick-start your diet with phentermine, weight loss drugs alone won't help you keep off the pounds for the long-term. To maintain your weight loss over time, and as indicated on the insert, use phentermine in conjunction with exercise and a calorie-restricted diet. Follow the exercise plan recommended by your health professional to attain optimal results with phentermine.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Help prevent side effects from phentermine by taking your dose with meals, recommends Pub Med Health, a U.S. National Institutes of Health website. Side effects from phentermine include increased blood pressure, dizziness and constipation. This prescription diet drug is contraindicated for individuals with certain medical conditions including high blood pressure, glaucoma or an overactive thyroid gland. Consult with your doctor before combining phentermine with other drugs or dietary supplements.
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