Adipex-P
® (
phentermine) is a weight loss medication that is available by prescription. It is approved for short-term use only. Although the official name of this product is "Adipex-P" (the P stands for phentermine), many people refer to this drug as simply "Adipex."
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Adipex-P. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of the drug include but are not limited to:
(Click Adipex Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Adipex-P?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Adipex-P if you have:
- Agitation
- A history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Adipex-P is chemically related to amphetamines. It works by suppressing the appetite, and it may also increase the metabolism.
Only very short studies have evaluated the effectiveness of medications like Adipex-P. In these studies, people taking these medications lost more weight than those not taking them, but the difference was small (only a fraction of a pound more per week for the people taking the weight loss medication). Studies also suggest that the effects of these medications for weight loss decrease after the first few weeks.
General considerations for when and how to take Adipex-P include the following:
- The medication comes in tablet and capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth once daily, although some people may need to take it twice a day.
- Adipex-P should be taken either before breakfast or one to two hours after breakfast.
- This medication should be combined with an appropriate diet. It is not meant to be used without dieting.
- Do not take Adipex-P more often (or at higher doses) than prescribed, as this can lead to addiction or dependence.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Adipex-P your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to the drug
- Whether you develop bothersome or dangerous side effects
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Adipex-P may experience the following symptoms:
If you happen to take too much, seek medical attention immediately.
How Should Adipex Be Stored?
Adipex-P tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, in an airtight container. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Adipex-P as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Adipex-P tablets and capsules come in one strength -- Adipex-P 37.5 mg.
The drug is made by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Is There a Generic Version of Adipex?
Both brand-name and generic versions of Adipex-P are available
(see Generic Adipex).
