According to Drugs.com, phentermine is a drug used to treat obesity. Used in combination with diet and exercise, phentermine can help people lose weight. It is given in a single dose of 15 to 37.5 mg taken daily in the morning before breakfast. Alternatively, it can also be given in an 8-mg dose, three times a day, 30 minutes prior to eating. Phentermine acts on the central nervous system much like an amphetamine. It suppresses appetite and stimulates the nervous system. Phentermine can have serious side effects.
Cardiovascular Effects
Drugs.com reports that patients taking phentermine have reported side effects caused by the stimulant nature of the drug. Palpitations, rapid heart rate and an increase in blood pressure are secondary to phentermine's action on the central nervous system or the brain. More severe side effects include pulmonary hypertension and regurgitant valvular disease. Pulmonary hypertension leads to constricted pulmonary blood vessels which eventually become stiff and increase the pressure going back to the heart. The increased pressure can eventually cause heart failure. Regurgitant valvular disease refers to injured heart valves that no longer seal properly and allow blood flow to go back and forth between the chambers of the heart.
Central Nervous System Effects
The central nervous system, which includes the brain, is command central for the body. The heart beats, the lungs breathe oxygen and expire carbon dioxide and your body moves because of the information and signals processed by the brain. When a stimulant such as phentermine acts on the brain, certain side effects can occur. Restlessness, anxiety, overstimulation, insomnia, tremors and headaches can occur when using phentermine. Psychotic episodes have rarely been reported when using phentermine at the recommended doses. Phentermine can also impair your reaction time and Drugs.com recommends caution when operating machinery or driving. Reports of confusion, irritability and irrational behavior have been noted. Alcohol can exacerbate the side effects of this medication.
Other Side Effects
Phentermine also causes gastrointestinal disturbances because of its action on the brain. Dryness of the mouth, diarrhea and constipation are common side effects. Phentermine may leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. A decreased interest in sex and impotence have been reported while using phentermine. Patients using blood pressure medications or antidepressants should inform their doctor prior to using phentermine.
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