The term "Fastin" refers to several unrelated products. Originally Fastin was the brand name of an obesity medication based on the chemical phentermine. The Fastin brand of phentermine is no longer sold in the United States; however, there are several other brand names of phentermine that are still available. Phentermine is a safe and effective prescription drug to use for appetite suppression. Now a non-prescription supplement called Fastin, a close relative of amphetamines, is being marketed as a diet pill. Fastin is also the name of a surgical tool used to re-attach soft tissue to bone.
Prescription Fastin
Fastin was the brand name of a prescription drug for obesity containing the active ingredient phentermine hydrochloride (30mg, the equivalent of 24mg phentermine). Prescription Fastin is no longer available in the United States. Currently six other similar drugs also containing the active ingredient phentermine are available by prescription to treat obesity, including brand name Adipex-P (37.5mg phentermine hydrochloride, equivalent to 30mg phentermine).
Prescription Effectiveness
Prescription Fastin was effective as a short-term treatment for obesity. Its active ingredient phentermine is an appetite suppressant that works by modulating the chemicals in the appetite centers of your brain. One capsule of prescription Fastin per day suppressed appetite for 12 to 14 hours. Prescription Fastin users did lose weight, but they lost only a fraction of a pound a week more than people given a placebo ("sugar pill"). Prescription Fastin was given only for a few weeks, because its effectiveness wears off, and it has some worrisome side effects, including possible addiction and cardiovascular effects.
Supplement Fastin
A non-prescription formula called Fastin is now marketed on the Internet for weight loss. This is completely different from the prescription version of Fastin and is based on the stimulant drug phenethylamine, a close relative of amphetamines, along with caffeine. Although amphetamines can cause weight loss, they are also addictive and they cause jitters.
Supplement Effectiveness
Phenethylamine can cause weight loss, but there is no clinical evidence that the formulation in the Fastin supplement is effective. The dosage of phenethylamine in the Fastin supplement is probably too low to have any effect because phenethylamines are rapidly broken down by your body.
Surgical Fastin
Fastin is also the name used for a surgical tool. Surgical Fastin is a staple-like device used to bind soft tissue (like muscle) to bone and is often used in shoulder repairs.
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