Tenuate
® (
diethylpropion hydrochloride) is a prescription medication approved to treat obesity for short-term use only (just a few weeks). It should be used along with an appropriate diet and exercise.
Brand-name Tenuate is no longer being made.
Generic Tenuate is manufactured by Watson Laboratories and CorePharma, LLC.
The drug works by suppressing the appetite, and it may also increase the metabolism. It is chemically related to amphetamines.
Only very short studies have evaluated the effectiveness of medications like Tenuate. In these studies, people taking these
weight loss drugs lost more weight than those not taking the drugs, but the difference was very small (only a fraction of a pound more per week). Studies also suggest that the effects of these types of drugs for weight loss decrease after the first few weeks.
When and How to Take Tenuate
General considerations for when and how to take Tenuate include the following:
- The medication comes in short-acting and long-acting tablet forms. The short-acting tablets are taken three times a day, one hour before meals, while the long-acting tablets are taken just once a day in the mid-morning.
- The long-acting tablets must be swallowed whole; do not break, chew, or crush them.
- Tenuate should be combined with an appropriate diet. It is not meant to be used without dieting.
- Do not take the medication 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 dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Whether you are taking short-acting or long-acting Tenuate tablets
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
What Are the Side Effects?
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. 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 include, but are not limited to:
(Click Tenuate Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Tenuate
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Tenuate if you have:
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.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much of the medication may experience the following symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Rapid breathing
- Confusion
- Violent behavior
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Dilated (wide open) pupils
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Seizures
- Coma
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in an airtight container.
Keep Tenuate and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Tenuate?
If you do not take your Tenuate 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.
Brand-name Tenuate tablets are no longer available. Generic Tenuate tablets come in the following strengths:
- Diethylpropion 25 mg tablets (short-acting)
- Diethylpropion 75 mg controlled-release tablets (long-acting).
Is There a Generic Version of Tenuate?
Currently, only generic Tenuate is licensed for sale
(see Generic Tenuate).
