Phentermine (pronounced “Fen-Terr-Inne”) is a weight loss drug that’s currently available over-the-counter in Australia. It’s also available by prescription in the United States and several other countries.
When used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, Phentermine has been shown in studies to be extremely effective at producing quick and significant weight loss.
The drug works by reducing the amount of food that your body naturally needs. It does this by inhibiting the breakdown of carbohydrates (such as glucose and glycogen) into calories, and thus reducing your body’s need for glucose and glycogen. Because carbs are important for maintaining a healthy metabolism, this can lead to serious health risks if used regularly.
Phentermine is not approved for use by pregnant women or women who’re breastfeeding. It may also interact with certain medications, so it’s best to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
How Does It Work?
Phentermine is a derivative of the anaesthetic amphetamine. It was first synthesised in the 1950s and has since been used to treat a variety of conditions, including obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
As with many other prescription weight loss medications, Phentermine works by altering the body’s perception of hunger. When taken in a sufficient dose, it’ll cause the brain to believe that you’re no longer hungry, even though your body still needs food. This often leads to patients eating less and engaging in more energy-efficient activities.
Phentermine is a popular option for people looking to rapidly lose weight because it’s relatively easy to use and has a well-established safety profile. In most countries, it’s available over the counter for this exact reason. In the United States, it’s only available by prescription.
How Many Weeks Do I Need To Lose Weight On Phentermine?
It depends on your starting weight and how fast you’d like to lose it. If you have a starting weight of at least 110 lbs (50 kg), you should expect to lose around 7-10 lbs (3.2–4.8 kg) in the first few weeks of use.
The amount of weight you lose will depend on your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is between 25 and 30, you should expect to lose about 4–7 lbs (1.8–3.2 kg) in the first few weeks of use. If your BMI is above 30, you should expect to lose 7–10 lbs (3.2–4.8 kg) in the first few weeks of use.
If you’re losing weight quickly enough, you may notice that your clothes are getting a bit looser. Don’t worry — this is a good thing! It means that your body is maintaining a healthy weight and your waistline is getting smaller. You’ll soon start to feel and look better, and you’ll have proof (in the form of smaller clothes) that you’ve made the right decision for your health.
How Long Does It Take For Phentermine To Work?
It depends on your starting weight and how fast you’d like to lose it. If you have a starting weight of at least 110 lbs (50 kg), you should expect to see results after a few weeks of use. In rare cases, it may take up to a year for full effects to be observed.
As with most other weight loss medications, the effects of Phentermine will be most prominent in the first few weeks of use. After this time, the weight loss may begin to level off, especially if you continue to use it as prescribed. However, in some cases, patients have lost as much as 15 lbs (6.8 kg) in the second or third month of use.
How Long Does It Stay In Your System?
It depends on your body weight and how fast you metabolise medications. The shorter the half-life, the more effective it is. The half-life of Phentermine is around 10 hours, which means that most of the medication will be eliminated from your body in the first 10 hours after ingestion.
This makes Phentermine a useful option for patients who need to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time. It’s also an option for patients who need to lose a large amount of weight for medical reasons, but don’t yet require surgery. The medical reasons may include type 2 diabetes or heart disease, among others.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Phentermine?
The most common side effect of using Phentermine is anxiety. In some cases, this anxiety can be so severe that it requires a change in medication. However, if this anxiety is properly managed with therapy, it should be easy for most patients to adjust to life as a normal human being again.
There are a number of other side effects that patients may experience. These include increased blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, and a feeling of warmth or sweating.
While many of these side effects are mild and transient, for some patients, especially those who experience them frequently, they can be quite debilitating. It’s important to remember that every patient is different, and some may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication than others. It is thus important to closely monitor your body during the first few weeks of use, and seek medical help if necessary.
How Effective Is It For Treating Obesity?
Phentermine is a treatment of last resort for people who are severely obese. However, for those who are overweight but have not yet attempted surgical weight loss, it’s an attractive option.
In combination with a healthy diet and exercise, it’s been proven successful at inducing weight loss in patients with a BMI between 30 and 40. In some cases, it’s been shown to be more effective than several other commonly prescribed medications. It’s also a safe alternative for patients who are allergic to or don’t tolerate other medications. As with any medication, it comes with certain risks and side effects that patients should be aware of. However, given its effectiveness and safety, most doctors will advise their patients to try it first instead of turning to more invasive treatments.
In rare cases, individuals have reported experiencing a number of severe adverse effects, including heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and feelings of choking. In these cases, the individual either discontinued the medication or turned to medical help promptly. It’s also worth noting that in individuals with a history of heart disease or diabetes, the risks may be greater. Physicians should thus be mindful of these risks when recommending this medication to patients with preexisting heart or blood vessel problems.
Does It Work For All Types Of Obesity?
Phentermine is effective at treating obesity, whether the patient is severely obese or just needs to shed a few pounds. However, it may not be the best option for individuals who are significantly overweight and need to shed a lot of weight. In these cases, diet and exercise are the preferred options and may be combined with medication if necessary.
Many different medications, such as orlistat (listed below), have been proven to be superior at treating obesity and may be used in conjunction with Phentermine. In combination with diet and exercise, medication is the preferred option for most individuals who are severely overweight. However, for those who are just a little bit overweight, diet and exercise alone may be sufficient for weight loss.
What Forms Does It Come In?
In most countries, Phentermine is available as a generic medication, which is inexpensive and easy to obtain. However, in the United States, it’s only available by prescription. This is largely due to the fact that the manufacturers of generic medications have not, as yet, obtained the rights to sell the drug in that country. In terms of dosage, it’s usually recommended for use in adults as a part of a weight loss program. For maximum effectiveness, it’s usually best to take it at the same time each day, as this has been shown to enhance the effect of the medication.
In terms of administration, it’s usually better to take Phentermine sublingually (under the tongue) as this minimises the amount of digestive material that touches the gastrointestinal tract. This, in turn, minimises the risk of irritation. It is also often better to take it first thing in the morning, before taking any other medications or supplements, as it’ll help prevent sudden weight gain due to drug interactions.