Phentermine for Weight Loss

Widely hailed as the "wonder pill" of weight loss, this is one of the oldest and most commonly prescribed of this type of medication. Developed in the 1950's, it gained approval from the FDA in 1959 as a short term slimming aid, and has been used by thousands of dieters in the last 45 years. Useful especially for people who have difficulty in losing weight because of a sluggish metabolism, it has revolutionised the experience of dieting, turning a long and often frustrating battle into a fast and reasonably pleasant process.

Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine, similar in chemical make-up to amphetamine, and thus shares some of the same properties of amphetamines. It works to encourage weight loss in two ways- firstly, and most importantly, it affects neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, which stimulate the central nervous system, this causing a reduction in appetite. Secondly, it raises heart rate, causing the basic metabolic rate to rise. This means that more calories are burned even at rest, and exercise brings better and faster results.

The recommended way to use Phentermine is as part of a calorie controlled diet and exercise program, because this will bring the fastest results, and avoid dependence. Phentermine is habit forming, which means that the body gets used to it, so after a few weeks it won't have the same effect as when you first use it, and using it for longer periods can result in withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. This means that if you don't lose enough weight in the first course of medication, you will have to give your body a rest, otherwise results can be less satisfying on the next try.

Some dieters have used different combinations of medications in order to increase weight loss, one of the best known being the now banned "Phen-Fen", a combination of Phentermine and Fenfluramine which became popular in the 1990's. This cocktail, whilst being very effective, caused serious heart problems in many users, and FDA approval was later withdrawn from Fenfluramine, although Phentermine was cleared of blame. Likewise the combination known as Dexphen-Phen, where Dexfenfluramine was the guilty partner, and also lost FDA approval. The latest attempt to create a super slimming cocktail is the combination known as "Phen-Pro", where Pro stands for Prozac, but can be replaced by Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Trazadone or Effexor, all of which are anti-depressants. This mixture seems to be more successful than the earlier attempts, and no serious side-effects have been reported so far.

It works by reducing the build up of dependence by the body to Phentermine, thereby increasing its effectivity over longer periods of time, and also seems to inhibit appetite more strongly. This combination can be prescribed by doctors legally in America, although approval by the FDA has not yet been given to the mixture.

If you decide to use Phentermine, you should be aware that although this is considered one of the safest weight loss medications, it does have side-effects,most of which are minor.One of the most common complaints of people taking it is that it prevents them falling asleep,or causes restless sleep, and for this reason it is usually advised to take the daily dose in the morning. On the other hand, it can sometimes cause drowsiness,and you should not drive until you know if it affects you in this way. Other side-effects often reported are mood changes, most of which are transient and disappear after a few days. You should also be aware that Phentermine interacts with many prescription drugs, and it is important to inform your doctor about any medication you are taking or intend to take.

This is a prescription drug and should be taken under medical supervision only!