Side Effects Of Adipex-p

The following adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections:

• Primary pulmonary hypertension 
• Valvular heart disease 
• Effect on the ability to engage in potentially hazardous tasks 
• Withdrawal effects following prolonged high dosage administration 

The following adverse reactions to phentermine have been identified:

Cardiovascular

Primary pulmonary hypertension and/or regurgitant cardiac valvular disease, palpitation, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure, ischemic events.

Central Nervous System

Overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, dysphoria, tremor, headache, psychosis.

Gastrointestinal

Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances.

Allergic

Urticaria.

Endocrine

Impotence, changes in libido.

Interactions Of Adipex-p

Use of ADIPEX-P^® is contraindicated during or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors because of the risk of hypertensive crisis.

Alcohol

Concomitant use of alcohol with ADIPEX-P^® may result in an adverse drug reaction.

Insulin And Oral Hypoglycemic Medications

Requirements may be altered [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Adrenergic Neuron Blocking Drugs

ADIPEX-P^® may decrease the hypotensive effect of adrenergic neuron blocking drugs.

Drug Abuse And Dependence

Controlled Substance

Phentermine is a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Abuse

Phentermine is related chemically and pharmacologically to the amphetamines. Amphetamines and other stimulant drugs have been extensively abused and the possibility of abuse of phentermine should be kept in mind when evaluating the desirability of including a drug as part of a weight reduction program.

Dependence

Abuse of amphetamines and related drugs may be associated with intense psychological dependence and severe social dysfunction. There are reports of patients who have increased the dosage of these drugs to many times that recommended. Abrupt cessation following prolonged high dosage administration results in extreme fatigue and mental depression; changes are also noted on the sleep EEG.

Manifestations of chronic intoxication with anorectic drugs include severe dermatoses, marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity and personality changes. A severe manifestation of chronic intoxication is psychosis, often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.

Precautions Of Adipex 

ADIPEX-P^® is indicated only as short-term (a few weeks ) monotherapy for the management of exogenous obesity. The safety and efficacy of combination therapy with ADIPEX-P^® and any other drug products for weight loss including prescribed drugs, over-the-counter preparations, and herbal products, or serotonergic agents such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine), have not been established. Therefore, coadministration of ADIPEX-P^® and these drug products is not recommended.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) – a rare, frequently fatal disease of the lungs – has been reported to occur in patients receiving a combination of phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine.

The possibility of an association between PPH and the use of ADIPEX-P^® alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of PPH in patients who reportedly have taken phentermine alone. 

The initial symptom of PPH is usually dyspnea. Other initial symptoms may include angina pectoris, syncope or lower extremity edema. Patients should be advised to report immediately any deterioration in exercise tolerance.

Treatment should be discontinued in patients who develop new, unexplained symptoms of dyspnea, angina pectoris, syncope or lower extremity edema, and patients should be evaluated for the possible presence of pulmonary hypertension.