Losing weight isn’t easy, especially without the dangerous, but actually effective weight-loss drug Fen-Phen, which the FDA pulled from shelves in 1997 due to concerns about damage the drug was doing to patients’ heart valves.
What is Fen-Phen diet?
What Is Fen-Phen? Fen-Phen is the popular name given to the combination of appetite suppressants fenfluramine and phentermine. It has been used to treat patients with severe obesity problems and has even been used as a way to fight some drug and alcohol addictions.
What are the side effects of fen fen?
Fen-Phen Side Effects
Side effects of Fen-Phen include: Heart valve damage. Primary pulmonary hypertension – narrowing of the blood vessels in the lungs, which leads to higher blood pressure and possible heart failure. Neuropsychological damage.
Can you still get Phen Fen?
Fen-phen is no longer widely available.
Why was Fen-Phen taken off the market? – Related Questions
Why do dentists ask about Phen Fen?
The concern for dental professionals is determining who has taken Fen-Phen and who is at risk for such valve damage. It means we must not only ask patients what drugs they currently are taking, but what drugs they have taken in the past and how long they took the drugs.
Is Fen-Phen same as phentermine?
Fenfluramine was one of the ingredients in “fen-phen,” and dexfenfluramine is closely related to fenfluramine. The “phen” in fen-phen refers to a drug called phentermine, which wasn’t banned.
What over the counter diet pill is similar to phentermine?
Five Most Popular Phentermine Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products
- PhenGold :The Overall Best Alternative to Phentermine.
- PhenQ :Top Multi-Action Phentermine Substitute.
- Phen24 :Top Metabolism-Boosting Phentermine Alternative.
- TrimTone :The Best Natural Phentermine Diet Pills for Women.
Can I ask my doctor for weight loss pills?
Your health care provider may suggest a weight-loss drug for you in some cases. These include if you haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise and your: Body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30. This means you’re living with a condition that involves having too much body fat, called obesity.
Is fenfluramine available in the US?
What Is Pondimin? Pondimin (fenfluramine hydrochloride) is an anorectic drug used to manage exogenous obesity as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction. The brand name Pondimin is discontinued in the U.S., but generic versions may be available.
Why does phentermine work so well?
It works by activating your sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system, so it’s called a “sympathomimetic” drug or “stimulant.” Phentermine may help lower your appetite, so people who take phentermine tend to eat less.
Who should not use phentermine?
Phentermine is one of the most prescribed weight-loss medicines. But it isn’t a good choice for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland or glaucoma. It also isn’t for people who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
How long does it take for phentermine to kick in?
Phentermine starts to work very quickly after taking an initial dose. Phentermine medication gets absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract. It will reach its peak concentrations in your blood after three to 4.4 hours. You should start feeling the effects in around four hours.
What medications can you not take with phentermine?
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.
How long can you stay on phentermine?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited treatment to 12 weeks or less.
Does phentermine give you energy?
This can make it difficult to stick to your weight loss goals. Phentermine may help you overcome this by decreasing fatigue and increasing energy levels. One of the main reasons people use Phentermine for weight loss is because it reduces hunger.
What happens when you stop taking phentermine?
Even patients who abruptly stopped taking the drug after extended periods of consumption did not experience drug cravings or withdrawal symptoms. The main symptom of stopping use was an increase in appetite.
Do you gain weight after phentermine?
While phentermine can be a powerful weight loss aid, the only proven way to shed weight and keep it off in the long term is to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors ( 23 , 24 ). Without making these habit changes, you may gain back any weight you’ve lost — and possibly more — once you stop taking phentermine ( 25 ).
What are the long term effects of phentermine?
The most common are dry mouth and trouble sleeping. More serious side effects, such as heart valve disease and high blood pressure in the lungs, are extremely rare. Phentermine is not recommended for people who have heart problems or a history of substance misuse.
Is phentermine a narcotic?
Phentermine is not a narcotic. Narcotics act on opioid receptors and are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Phentermine is a stimulant. It stimulates norepinephrine and epinephrine release and suppresses appetite.
