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Appetite Suppressants: Phentermine
APPETITE SUPPRESSANT: PHENTERMINE
Background: Phentermine is an appetite suppressant which has been successfully used for over 30 years. It works by stimulating the brain to produce more norepinephrine which in turn reduces cravings for all types of foods. It is available in generic form and also is produced under the brand names of Adipex and Fastin. A long acting form known as Ionamin is also available.
Dosing: Initially a small dosage is prescribed for the morning. The effects may last anywhere from 4-12 hours and therefore timing of the doses is crucial. Dosage regimens are designed to maximize the appetite suppressing capabilities of Phentermine during the crucial late afternoon and evening hours. Tremendous individual variations can occur but by pushing the last dose as late as possible optimal results can be obtained.
Pulsing: Some patients find that over time the effectiveness of Phentermine tends to wear out. In the past pulsing dosage regimens such as taking medications 5 out of 7 days per week or 3 out of 4 weeks per month were prescribed to maintain efficacy. Now we simply add Amino Acids to help maintain potency. Amino Acids not only enhance Phentermine but also cause additional appetite suppression.
Safety: Recently Phentermine was combined with Fenfluramine to create "Phen-fen". Fenfluramine and its cousin Redux were found to cause heart and lung problems in rare instances. Fenfluramine and Redux were pulled off the market by FDA request but Phentermine was left untouched. The FDA does not require any Phentermine product to list heart valve or fatal lung problems as complications. Our extensive research and experience with thousands of patients does not indicate any significant evidence that Phentermine causes these problems.
Side Effects: The most common side effects are insomnia, caffeine like jitters or irritability, and dry mouth. A more complete list of potential side effects can be found in the disclaimer. Dry mouth can be overcome by drinking lots of non-caloric fluids. Insomnia can be minimized by carefully dosing Phentermine to wear out near bedtime. Adding Amino Acids can reduce both insomnia and irritability.
Efficacy: Most published studies show Phentermine and other powerful appetite suppressants to achieve a 5% weight loss in 40% of patients, 10% weight loss in 20% of patients and 15% weight loss in 5% of patients. Long term follow up studies indicate 70-85% maintenance of the results over 1-3 years. Much better results can be obtained by combining behavior modification, exercise, regular monitoring and meal replacements.
