Phentermine Weight Loss Pills – Can it Help Me Lose Weight?

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By Alex Haley

Updated on

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If you are obese or very overweight the a diet pill could be an option. If you have talked to your doctor and they have suggested a pill for losing weight it highly to be Phentermine. This article details what it is, how it works, who it is suitable for and potential dangers and side effects.

phentermine wight loss pills

Phentermine is not available over-the-counter without a valid prescription. There are phentermine alternatives, equivalents and substitutes that can be obtained in store or online. The alternatives work extremely well and much less likely to bad reactions or side effects.

Phentermine weight loss pills are appetite suppressants that are a prescription medication that is sometimes used for the short-term treatment of extreme obesity.

It’s sold under numerous brand names but, although they are all essentially the same, the most common in the USA, Canada and the UK is Adipex (or Adipex-P). The only two brands approved for use in Australia are Duromine and Metermine.

Phentermine is the blue and white speckled diet pill that you have probably seen while doing your research. What you may not have realized is that Phentermine was first created in the 1950’s has remained virtually unchanged since.

phentermine pills
phentermine pills

It is a chemical (drug classed) diet pill – it suppresses appetite, it can also cause one or two side effects in some people. [source]

There are products that have been produced by private industry that work in the same way as Phentermine but without the side effects – they can also burn body fat and offer other methods of weight loss into the bargain.

The Criteria Required for a Phentermine Prescription

The FDA has only approved Phentermine for the short-term treatment of obesity. The maximum usage period is 12 weeks and it is required that Phentermine always be used in conjunction with diet and exercise. [ref]

In order to be even considered as a possible candidate for a prescription, patients need to have have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. In some instances patients who have a BMI that is between 25 and 29 may also be considered, but only if other health issues are present that may be aggravated by such a high level of obesity.

How Phentermine Helps with Weight Loss

Phentermine is generally only taken once per day, but the effects can last for up to 14 hours. Once it has been absorbed into the body the drug stimulates the release of a combination of chemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters that would normally occur during times of danger.

This is known as the fight or flight response. It’s the body’s way of trying to protect itself. The resultant changes equip the body with the enhanced speed and strength required to flee from danger or fight for life.

During such circumstances feeling hungry could be dangerous because it would distract from the job at hand. So whenever the body shifts in fight or flight mode the hunger mechanism is bypassed. A similar reaction is sometimes experienced during times of anxiety, so if you have ever felt too stressed to eat you now know the reason why.

Phentermine in Australia

The fact that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the drug’s use could be seen as an endorsement of its power and, not surprisingly, many people who need to loose weight are keen to get their hands on a supply of Phentermine—even if the only way to do so is to try and buy it through illegal channels.

However, anyone considering going to such lengths needs to bear in mind the TGA has restricted Phentermine usage to those under a doctor’s care for a reason. The drug is addictive and is known to be capable of causing nasty side effects. It should never be used without the correct medical approval and supervision.

The two brands of Phentermine sanctioned by the TGA are available in three strength options:

  • 15mg capsules
  • 30mg capsules
  • 40mg capsules

The 15mg capsules are generally prescribed to people who have health issues, such as hypertension, that might make a higher dosage unwise.

Suitability Issues

Even when patients have a BMI that is high enough to make them a possible candidate for a Phentermine prescription, doctors might not prescribe the drug if other certain health issues, such as schizophrenia or hyperthyroidism, are present. Nor is the drug suitable for pregnant women because it can cause foetal damage.

Phentermine is also unsuitable for use alongside certain medications, including some high blood pressure treatments and most MAO inhibitors.

Phentermine Side Effects and Dangers

Phentermine is closely related to the stimulant amphetamine and it shares its addictive nature. This is just one of the reasons why the drug is only approved for use over a short period of time, but addiction is just one of many negative consequences that can arise from its use.

There are many more, but Phentermine side effects can include:

  • Panic attacks
  • Uncontrollable rage
  • Slurred speech
  • Vision impairments
  • Severe headache
  • Hallucinations
  • Impaired sex drive
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Swollen legs
  • Seizure
  • Cardiovascular issues

Phentermine Reputation V Phentermine Reality

Phentermine has a reputation that far exceeds it ability and the fact that it remains one of the most sought after weight loss aids in the world is probably due to a lack of understanding about the drug and how it works.

Many people have lost weight using Phentermine alongside the diet plans and exercise programs suggested by their doctors. People hearing this tend to focus on the weight loss and the fact that doctors prescribe the drug gives it extra credibility. The associated low-calorie diet and exercise is often not mentioned in tales of Phentermine aided weight loss, so it is often seen as a magic pill.

The negative aspects the drug presents are also often ignored. This can be due to the pressure to look good, a desperate need to lose weight, ignorance, or a devil may care attitude. A quick search of Google Trends reveals many people are still searching for a way to buy Phentermine online.

This is very worrying and somewhat sad. Some of today’s top diet pills possess superior appetite suppressing powers, can improve fat burning ability and, in many cases, offer other benefits as well. All without the risk of side effects. Perhaps in the future people will catch on and realise how overrated the drug is, but for now Phentermine continues to rest on some very tarnished laurels.

Adipex (Adipex-P) – Most Common Brand

Adipex-P is a prescription appetite suppressant that contains Phentermine.

Pros: It’s prescribed by the medical fraternity

Cons: It’s prescribed by the medical fraternity and so a world away from being natural. It has side effects. Not easily obtainable. Looking very old now

As far as its popularity goes, Adipex-P could be seen as being the American equivalent of Duromine. Both drug are prescription-only appetite suppressants that share the same active ingredient. The only difference between Adipex-P and Duromine is the capsules contain Phentermine as a hydrochloride instead of a resin.

Why Adipex-P is Not A Miracle Diet Pill

Dieters all over the world often see Adipex-P and other brands of Phentermine as a miracle weight loss aid that will allow them to lose lots of weight easily without making any real effort.

This is misguided thinking. Part of the problem is the fact that the governing bodies in many countries have made Phentermine medications available via prescription is often seem as an affirmation of the drug’s power.

The truth of the matter is, although these medications can be effective weight loss boosters, the restrictions are in place because Phentermine is capable of causing such a vast array of side effects it’s considered too dangerous to use without medical supervision.

In America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) performs a similar role to that of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and both bodies insist the brands of Phentermine they have approved be used in conjunction with diet and exercise.

Any weight that is lost with such drugs is not solely due to the Phentermine they contain. Diet and exercise plays an important role. Dieters who try to use the drugs without the necessary diet and exercise may lose little or no weight at all.

Adipex-P Suitability Issues & Side Effects

The FDA only allows doctors to prescribe Adipex-P to people who have a BMI of 30 or more or have a BMI that is between 25 and 29 that is accompanied by other medical conditions that are known to present extra dangers to individuals who are obese. It’s also worth noting the drug is only allowed to be prescribed for a maximum of 12 weeks, so it cannot offer dieters long-term support.

People who are overweight may still fail to qualify for an Adipex-P prescription if they have certain health problems, such as hyperthyroidism and schizophrenia. Anyone who is using MAO inhibitors is also unlikely to be prescribed Adipex-P. Some other medications are known to be incompatible with Adipex-P as well. And the drug is never issued to women who are pregnant.

Adipex-P has many known side effects, including:

  • Addiction
  • Uncontrollable anger
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Hallucinations
  • Slurred speech
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Impotence
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting

How Adipex-P Suppresses the Desire to Eat

The Phentermine provided by Adipex-P has the ability to produce chemical and hormonal changes in the body that would normally only occur as a stress response, especially during times of danger. Anyone who has ever found themselves feeling too stressed to eat should be able to appreciate how effective this response is, and Adipex-P can trigger such a state for up to 14 hours per day.

Why Appetite Suppression is Not Enough

Unfortunately, appetite suppression alone is unlikely to be enough to help people to lose weight. If it was there would be no need for doctors to insist their patients use Adipex-P in combination with diet and exercise.

Even when the drug is used in the required manner, the calorie shortage it causes is not as great as that instigated by diet pills that suppress the appetite while also boosting the metabolism and further accelerating the fat burning process in other ways. So, although Adipex-P and other similar drugs are not without value, they are greatly overrated.

Is Adipex-P Worth the Risk?

If your doctor has prescribed Adipex-P, and they are completely familiar with your present medical situation, the drug may offer enough value to make its use worthwhile, but it’s ability to support weight loss can be far exceeded by some of the diet pill formulations developed by some of today’s leading supplement manufacturers.

Unfortunately many people have a misguided faith in the drug’s prowess as a weight loss enhancer and try to buy it illegally online. This is definitely not worth the risk. The use of Adipex-P must always be supervised by a doctor. If it is not the potential for harm far exceeds the potential for good.

What Is Recommended

We would highly recommend using a safer multi-action diet product from the commercial sector that is available to buy without prescription.

PhenQ is the best phentermine substitute on the market. It can suppress appetite, burn and block fat and also prove additional energy.

FAQ’s

How much weight can you lose with Phentermine?

Clinical studies have shown that the use of Phentermine can lead to fat loss up 10%. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds (90.7kg) and lose 4-5 kg total after 12 weeks using this medication; then your weight will be reduced by about 20 lbs or 9KG!

Does phentermine help you lose weight quickly?

Phentermine is a prescription medication used to suppress appetite. It can help you lose weight by making it easier for the body not be so hungry or giving off an feeling of fullness longer than normal, which could lead someone with this medicine alone in losing 10 pounds per week on average! Phentermire also comes combined with topiramate when looking at how effective each drug may have been individually – together they’re usually around 15-20+ lbs less after 12 weeks usage depending if one was started first .

Is Phentermine bad for you?

Side effects of Phentermine include stroke, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart failure and valve disease. It may also cause uncontrolled high blood pressure which can make your heart work harder in turn making it more likely for these conditions to worsen over time due to the extra stress.

Who should not use phentermine?

Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. You should also avoid using it in case you have glaucoma, overactive thyroid disease such as hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis; severe heart problems like myocardial infarction within the last three months before taking medicines prescribed for ADHD (such as atomoxetine). Additionally patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure shouldn’t use phentermine either since these will aggravate their condition when taken together.

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about the author

Alex Haley is a specialist in bio-information and operations. Alex has an interest in the field of genetics, with a focus on genome sequencing. When not working, Alex enjoys reading about scientific developments that may be relevant to her work or studies. When she's at home, she spends time with her family and friends. She also likes to read books about science fiction and fantasy worlds where anything is possible!