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Generic Name: phendimetrazine (fen di MEH tra zeen)
Brand Names:
Adipost, Anorex-SR, Appecon, Bontril PDM, Bontril Slow-Release,
Melfiat, Obezine, Phendiet, Plegine, Prelu-2, Statobex |
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What is the most important information I should know about
phendimetrazine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Phendimetrazine may cause dizziness, blurred
vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme
tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. |
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Phendimetrazine is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may
occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous
use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. |
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Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" phendimetrazine tablets
or capsules. Swallow them whole. |
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Phendimetrazine is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an
amphetamine. It is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" drug.
Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain),
which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your
appetite. |
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Phendimetrazine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and
exercise in the treatment of obesity. |
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Phendimetrazine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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Who should not take phendimetrazine?
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You cannot take phendimetrazine if you |
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have heart disease or high blood pressure; |
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have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); |
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have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil)
in the last 14 days; or |
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have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have |
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problems with your thyroid, |
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epilepsy or another seizure disorder, or |
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You may not be able to take phendimetrazine, or you may require a
lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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It is not known whether phendimetrazine will harm an unborn baby. Do
not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant. |
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It is also not known whether phendimetrazine passes into breast milk.
Do not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take phendimetrazine?
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Take phendimetrazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Phendimetrazine is usually taken once a day (sustained release
formula) or two to three times daily (immediate-release formula) before
meals on an empty stomach. |
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Do not take phendimetrazine in the evening because it may cause
insomnia. |
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Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" phendimetrazine tablets
or capsules. Swallow them whole. |
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Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too
much phendimetrazine could be very dangerous to your health. |
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Store phendimetrazine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for your next dose or if it is already evening, skip the
missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. A dose
taken too late in the day will cause insomnia. Do not take a
double dose of this medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a phendimetrazine overdose include restlessness, tremor,
rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures. |
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What should I avoid while taking phendimetrazine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Phendimetrazine may cause dizziness, blurred
vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme
tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. |
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Do not take phendimetrazine late in the day. A dose taken too late
in the day can cause insomnia. |
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What are the possible side effects of phendimetrazine?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking phendimetrazine and seek emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache,
blurred vision); or |
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hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take phendimetrazine and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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restlessness or tremor, |
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nervousness or anxiety, |
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dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, |
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diarrhea or constipation, or |
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impotence or changes in your sex drive. |
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Phendimetrazine is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may
occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous
use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect phendimetrazine?
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You cannot take phendimetrazine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days. |
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Changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies may be
necessary during treatment with phendimetrazine. |
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Phendimetrazine may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin).
This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if
you are taking guanethidine. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking a
tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin),
doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil),
clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin).
These drugs may decrease the effects of phendimetrazine. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
phendimetrazine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about phendimetrazine written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 2/
14/ 03. |
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