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Diet & Adipex

Jul 10, 2011 | By Stephanie Mojica
Diet & Adipex
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Your doctor may prescribe Adipex-P, the brand name for the appetite suppressant phentermine, to help you lose weight. But even the most effective diet pill won't work if you don't do your part by dieting and and exercising. If you have just a few pounds to lose, it's best that you do it by changing your eating and exercise routine instead of turning to drugs such as Adipex-P.

Basic Diet Recommendations

You should not attempt extremely restrictive diets that include very small portions or few food choices, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Strive to follow a balanced eating plan while taking phentermine. A balanced eating plan includes modest portions of lean proteins, whole-grain carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Women who weigh under 165 pounds should have about 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day; heavier women or men can usually consume 1,200 to 1,600 calories daily and still lose weight.

Drug Basics

Adipex-P is not safe for long-term use, because it is habit-forming, warns PubMed Health. Your doctor should not prescribe it for longer than 12 weeks and will probably prescribe it for only three to six weeks. If you stop taking Adipex-P and resume poor eating and exercise habits, you will regain the weight you lost. The longer you take phentermine, the less effective it will become. You may experience dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth when you're taking Adipex-P. Other potential side effects include diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. Unless the side effects become serious or do not go away, these do not constitute a medical emergency.

Contraindictions

You cannot take Adipex-P if you are pregnant, nursing, have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or are over the age of 65, warns PubMed Health. You should also avoid the drug if you have a history of heart disease, high-blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma. If you become pregnant while taking phentermine, immediately call your doctor.

Serious Side Effects

Phentermine is part of the banned fen-phen combo, but scientists determined that the appetite-suppressant fenfluramine was the true danger with that medication, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. All forms of fenfluramine, including fen-phen, were banned in 1997 because it caused heart and lung damage in some patients. The appetite-suppressant phentermine was never banned. Nevertheless, Adipex-P carries a risk of significant and potentially life-threatening side effects such as increased blood pressure, dizziness, allergic reaction characterized by hives and difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations and swelling of the ankles and legs.

References

Article reviewed by Amy Richards Last updated on: Jul 10, 2011

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