With all the hype on being and staying thin, thousands of weight loss pills and products have invaded the market, often confusing consumers with claims of effectiveness and fast results. According to reports, Americans spend as much as $56 billion every year on weight loss products. Sadly, of this amount, about $6 billion is being spent on fraudulent and ineffective weight loss products.
Low standards
Scientists have expressed concern over the proliferation of weight loss pills and products in the market. According to them, most of these over-the-counter products have not undergone rigorous testing procedures like other medication pills. As a result, their actual risks and benefits remain unknown. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already tested and approved a few weight loss pills, including Xenical and the Phentermine weight loss drug.
About Phentermine
The Phentermine weight loss drug is a prescription drug that works as an appetite suppressant. Compared to other weight loss pills, the Phentermine weight loss drug is significantly cheaper, hence its popularity. It was approved by the FDA in 1959 as a weight loss pill, although Phentermine weight loss drug works only as a short-term treatment for obesity and should not be taken as a daily supplement. Also, there are still no significant studies to confirm the long-term effectiveness of the Phentermine weight loss drug.
How it works
Phentermine works by altering the neurotransmitters in the brain. It stimulates the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, and in this case, appetite. The chemical found in the drug triggers the release if certain neurotransmitters known as catecholamines. These include chemicals such as dopamine, adrenalin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals trigger a "fight-or-flight" response in the body, which blocks hunger messages.
Recommended dosage
The FDA recommends that Phentermine be used only for up to 12 weeks. They also advise users to combine phentermine intake with exercise, proper diet, and other proven weight loss measures. Phentermine is best taken before or after breakfast, as the drug has been known to induce insomnia.
Precautions
People who fall under these categories should refrain from taking Phentermine:
o Those with allergies to any ingredient found in Phentermine
o Those who have taken dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, furazolidone, guanadrel, guanethidine in the last 14 days
o Those suffering from moderate or severe high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, or severe narrowing of the blood vessels
o Those with a history of substance abuse
o Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
o Those who are are taking other dietary supplements or weight loss pills
o Those who have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
o Patients with a brain or spinal cord disorder, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol or lipid levels
Side effects
Some of the side effects related to the Phentermine weight loss drug include:
o Insomnia
o Increased blood pressure
o Irritability
o Nervousness
Less common side effects include:
o Blurred vision
o Change in sexual desire
o Clumsiness
o Confusion
o Diarrhea
o Dizziness
o Dry mouth
o Headache
o Irregular heartbeat
o Nausea or vomiting
o Psychosis
o Skin rash or itching
o Stomach pain
o Tiredness
o Unpleasant taste
These side effects are only those that are known; further studies have yet to be conducted to discover other adverse effects.
Safety measures
Before taking a Phentermine weight loss drug, it is always best to consult a medical expert or professional. Your doctor can perform some tests to determine whether the product will work for you. If you do need to take a Phentermine weight loss drug, you have to work closely with your doctor so he can monitor your intake. Remember, Phentermine is meant for short-term use only, and taking too much can be harmful to your health.
Also, taking the drug should be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle. Phentermine alone cannot make you lose weight, at least not in a healthy way. Proper diet and exercise are still the best ways to do it. Do not rely solely on the drug to help you lose weight, because there is a danger of substance abuse.
The increasing demand for effective diet pills can be attributed to the stereotype set by the media in terms of beauty. Magazines, television and the internet have set thin people in the highest pedestal of beauty. Fortunately, Phentermine exists. It is a widely used anti-obesity medication in the United States that is similar to amphetamines and activates the fight or flight response, thereby releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine. It is a good supplementary treatment for obesity alongside dietary modification and regular exercise.
Phentermine, also marketed as Adipex-P, was first accepted in the mainstream market after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 1959. It became a popular medication for obesity and has been the subject of many studies and articles beginning the year 1990.
In the past, this diet pill has been used with fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux) in a medication called Fen-Phen to achieve optimum effects. However, this combination has been stopped in the year 1997 because development of heart-valve problems has been linked with the use of fenfluramine.
Nowadays, Phentermine is used alone to induce weight loss. When you are taking this diet pill, make sure that you follow your doctor's prescribed dose to the letter because it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Typically, this diet pill is available in extended-release tablets or capsules and maybe taken three times daily 30 minutes before a meal or in a single dose during breakfast. If it is taken through the latter method, it is better to take this medication an hour before breakfast or approximately 2 hours after breakfast with a full glass of water to optimize appetite suppression. It should never be taken a few hours before bedtime as it may cause sleeping difficulties.
When you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, never take an extra dose to compensate for a dose you missed as this may cause an overdose. In addition, people taking antidepressants, insulin or oral medications for diabetes and medications used to lower high blood pressure should never take this diet pill because of drug interactions. Drinking alcohol is also avoided when on this pill to avoid increasing the side effects of this weight loss pill.
Typically, Phentermine is used on a short-term basis and it should never be extended without the doctor's advice as it may cause dependence. In order to achieve optimal results, it should also be coupled with a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
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