Is phentermine used for obesity?
Is phentermine used for obesity?
Like other prescription weight-loss drugs, phentermine is intended to be used as part of an overall weight-loss plan. It is indicated for people who are obese, and who have failed to lose enough weight with diet and exercise alone — not for people who want to lose just a few pounds.
When was phentermine first approved for weight loss?
Phentermine is the most commonly used anti-obesity medication in the United States. Back when it was approved for weight loss in 1959, the chronic nature of obesity wasn’t understood as well. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited treatment to 12 weeks or less.
What’s the average BMI for someone on phentermine?
We studied nearly 14,000 phentermine users, 8 in 10 of whom were women. Their mean BMI was 38, which is 235 pounds for a 5’6” person. But they included people with a BMI as low as 27, which is 168 pounds for a 5’ 6” person.
Is it safe to take phentermine for 24 months?
As far as safety goes, we expected to see an increase in blood pressure, but instead found that systolic blood pressure was reduced at 24 months in long-term users of phentermine relative to short-term users. It’s possible that this decrease in blood pressure was due to sustained weight loss in the longer-term users of phentermine.
When did phentermine fenfluramine come off the market?
However, fenfluramine (and its more potent cousin: dexfenfluramine) was withdrawn from the market in 1997 after a prominent Mayo Clinic study linked use of Phen-Fen to an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension and heart valve disease ( 2 ). While phentermine alone was never implicated in these reports, causative involvement cannot be ruled-out.
Phentermine is the most commonly used anti-obesity medication in the United States. Back when it was approved for weight loss in 1959, the chronic nature of obesity wasn’t understood as well. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited treatment to 12 weeks or less.
Can a doctor prescribe phentermine if you are obese?
It’s a controlled substance due to its chemical similarities to the stimulant amphetamine — making it available only with a prescription. Your doctor may prescribe phentermine if you’re obese, meaning that your body mass index (BMI) is greater than or equal to 30.
Which is better for weight loss phentermine or topiramate?
Topiramate and phentermine is a combination medication sold under the brand name Qsymia. Compared to three other commonly prescribed drugs for weight loss, the combination of phentermine and topiramate was associated with the highest odds of losing at least 5% of the initial body weight (14).
Is it safe to prescribe phentermine off label?
Still, until we have a change in FDA policy, off-label longer-term prescribing of phentermine should be done cautiously with full consideration of the legal and medical licensure implications, which can vary from state to state.