Phentermine is an FDA-approved prescription appetite suppressant used for short-term weight loss alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. In some cases it is combined with topiramate; that combination is approved for longer-term weight management. Phentermine has been used for decades and is generally well tolerated when prescribed and monitored appropriately. Your provider will decide whether, and for how long, it is right for you.
Phentermine is taken once a day, typically in the morning so that it can suppress your appetite through the day. Over the course of a few hours, the medication will rise in your bloodstream, reaching its peak concentration in 3 to 5 hours. After this, it will slowly decline over the rest of the day.
Phentermine works in your brain and nervous system, increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine that help suppress hunger and increase energy use.
Phentermine is a stimulant and a Schedule IV controlled substance. Common side effects can include increased heart rate and blood pressure, trouble sleeping, dry mouth and irritability, so your provider will review your health history and monitor your blood pressure and heart rate during treatment.
Paired with a dietary strategy, phentermine can help produce meaningful weight loss. The medication doesn’t lose the weight for you — rather, it helps you feel less hungry so healthy eating is easier to stick with. The diet you select should work well with your personality, habits, and lifestyle. It’s also important to exercise regularly. In studies, people taking phentermine with a reduced-calorie diet lost more weight than those using diet alone. Individual results vary.
Phentermine may be appropriate for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.
Phentermine is not appropriate for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have coronary heart disease or a history of stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, recent use of MAO inhibitors, or a history of drug misuse.
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