Phentermine

Phentermine is an oral weight loss drug originally U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved in 1959 as an appetite-suppressant. Its current form, phentermine hydrochloride, has been available since 1973. It’s approved for weight loss over 3 months when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Phentermine is a generic medication and the active ingredient in brand-name Lomaira and Adipex-P. It’s also 1 of 2 active ingredients in Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), which is FDA-approved for weight management in adults.

What sets phentermine apart from other weight loss drugs is that it’s only meant to be used for up to 3 months. Other weight loss meds are approved for longer use.

Studies though show that long-term use of phentermine is safe and results in greater weight loss.

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, which help transmit signals in the brain, muscles, and glands in your body. The effect of these added neurotransmitters may stimulate feelings of fullness or satiety, which suppresses appetite, boosts energy levels, and breaks down stored fat, which leads to weight loss.

In studies, people taking phentermine short-term lost at least 3% of their body weight in 12 weeks.

Phentermine is FDA-approved for people 17 and older who:

— Have obesity, which means a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
— Are overweight and have a BMI of 27 or more and at least one weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or high cholesterol.

If you take it, you also need to eat less and exercise more.

Getting phentermine online starts with getting a prescription. A trained, licensed healthcare provider can prescribe phentermine or another weight loss medication if they find it medically necessary for you.

Providers who can prescribe medications include physicians (MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), and ​​nurse practitioners (NPs).

Find a board-certified, licensed provider and have an initial appointment online. Your provider will help you develop a medical weight loss program that may include medication, such as phentermine. If your provider gives you a prescription, you can get phentermine at any pharmacy that has it in stock, local or online.

Generic phentermine and Adipex-P (phentermine) come in 15-, 30-, and 37.5-milligram tablets or capsules you take by mouth. The usual dose is 1 tablet or capsule before breakfast or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast.

Lomaira (phentermine) comes in 8-milligram tablets. One-half or one tablet is taken 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

Your provider may prescribe half a tablet (18.75 milligrams) in the morning or twice a day, depending on how you tolerate phentermine. They’ll have you take the lowest dose that works for you, which may be up to 37.5 milligrams.

Note that you don’t want to take phentermine at night because it can cause insomnia.

Phentermine doesn’t have any known common side effects. Adverse reactions have been reported with phentermine use though, including high blood pressure, valvular heart disease, fast heartbeat, restlessness, insomnia, psychosis, tremor, headache, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, and impotence.

It’s also a controlled substance and has a risk of abuse and dependence.

Tell your healthcare provider about any existing health problems you have before taking phentermine, including drug abuse and if you’re taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the last 14 days.

You’ll lose less weight on phentermine than on newer weight loss drugs. Retrospective studies show you can lose at least 3% of your body weight in 12 weeks on phentermine. People taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medication Wegovy (semaglutide) for weight loss lose up to 14.9% of their starting body weight in 68 weeks. Those taking dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) lose up to 20.9% of their body weight in 52 weeks.

Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management in people who have obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or high cholesterol. Both have side effects that may include, but aren’t limited to, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and headaches.

Only you and your healthcare provider can decide which weight loss medication, if any, is right for you.

If you get brand-name Adipex-P, it costs about $156 for a 2-months supply. Lomaira costs around $145 per 2-months supply.

With health insurance coverage, you may pay less. You can also save on phentermine with coupons from drug discount sites like SingleCareRx, drugs.com, GoodRx, WellRx, and others.

If you choose a brand name, you may be eligible to save on Adipex-P with Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Adipex-P Prescription Savings Program. You can also save on Lomaira with a coupon from the manufacturer, KVK-Tech.