Phentermine
Phentermine was originally approved by the FDA in 1959 as an appetite suppressant. However, there has been only one study since this date, in 1990, concerning Fen-Phen, a drug which combined phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine. The results of the study showed that Fen-Phen was more effective than diet and exercise is producing weight loss. However, by 1997 it became clear than Fen-Phen had a deleterious effect on the valves of the heart, with up to 30% of patients who had taken the drug being affected.
Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were voluntarily withdrawn from the market at the request of the FDA. However, the FDA did not request the withdrawal of phentermine and it remains on the market today, although there are concerns about its safety.
What are the safety concerns about taking Phentermine?
Phentermine is related to the amphetamine group of drugs. This means that it is addictive, so should be taken for no more than a few weeks. Of course, a diet pill taken for a few weeks is of no use at all for long term weight loss or stabilisation, and many dieters, desperate to stay or become slim, will be tempted to take it for longer periods and put their health at risk.
The most dangerous side effects of phentermine, after its addictive properties, are:
- an increased heart rate (tachycardia), and
- increased blood pressure
Other less serious side effects can include insomnia and irritability. There are many other side effects which are too numerous to list here.
Many countries classify Phentermine as a controlled substance.
How does Phentermine work?
It stimulates neuron bundles within the brain to produce neurotransmitters that suppress appetite. These neurotransmitters are known as catecholamines.
Warning
It is not worth making yourself ill to become slim. I would advise against buying Phentermine from an online pharmacy or even having it prescribed by your GP or private clinic.