Phendimetrazine

Phendimetrazine is used as a short-term treatment with diet to help certain people who are obese to lose weight. Phendimetrazine is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain

Phendimetrazine comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) capsules to take by mouth. The tablet is taken 2 or 3 times a day, one hour before meals. The extended-release capsule is taken once a day (in the morning), 30 to 60 minutes before the morning meal. Take phendimetrazine at around the same time(s) every day.

Take phendimetrazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Phendimetrazine may be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking phendimetrazine,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• some medications should not be taken with phendimetrazine. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with phendimetrazine. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting phendimetrazine with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking phendimetrazine, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine..
• tell your doctor if you have or ever have had an irregular heartbeat, heart valve disease, heart failure, or other heart problems; a stroke; high blood pressure; pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in blood vessels that carry blood to the lungs); glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may cause vision loss); hyperthyroidism (condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone in the body); or feelings of anxiety, tension, or agitation. Also, tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol or if you use or have ever used street drugs, or overused prescription medication. Your doctor may tell you not to take phendimetrazine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or kidney problems.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are taking phendimetrazine. If you become pregnant while taking phendimetrazine, call your doctor immediately. Phendimetrazine may harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while you are taking phendimetrazine.
• you should know that phendimetrazine may make it difficult for you to perform activities that require alertness or physical coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking phendimetrazine. Alcohol can make the side effects from phendimetrazine worse.

Follow the diet and exercise program your doctor has given you.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Phendimetrazine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• dry mouth
• stomach pain
• changes in sex drive or ability
• frequent urination or painful or difficult urination
• restlessness
• agitation
• abnormally excited mood
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• flushing
• sweating
• headache
• uncontrollable shaking of part of the body

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• shortness of breath; chest pain; or swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• believing things that are not true; feeling unusually suspicious of others; or hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist

Phendimetrazine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• restlessness
• uncontrollable shaking of part of the body
• hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• confusion
• feelings of panic
• aggressive behavior
• depression
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps
• seizures
• coma

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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