What is Adipex?
Adipex is the brand name for Phentermine and is prescribed to patients who are obese or overweight and are at risk of developing other health conditions due to their weight. It is prescribed to patients along with mandated exercise, a low-calorie diet, and behavioral therapy. Adipex is commonly known as a weight loss medication, but it doesn’t work directly to help you lose weight.
How does Adipex function?
Adipex is known to work as an appetite suppressant, and it is known to make you feel full for a longer period. Obesity can increase the risks of other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a shorter life. Adipex belongs to a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines and works to increase the amount of energy used by your body or by affecting particular parts of your brain.
What are the possible side effects of Adipex?
The common side effects include-
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- DIfficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
Most of the common side effects of Adipex should ideally reduce with time. It is suggested that you inform your doctor if they persist or get worse.
The severe side effects include-
- Increased blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Mood changes like agitation, uncontrolled anger, nervousness, and hallucinations
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Change in sexual ability or interest
The severe side effects are unlikely, and it is advised that you call for medical help if you notice them.
It is suggested that you immediately call for medical assistance if you notice side effects like severe headache, trouble speaking, seizure, weakness, and vision changes.
How long will Adipex stay in your system?
Adipex acts similar to amphetamines and is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and reaches its peak concentration in the blood within three to four hours. The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes the body to eliminate half of the active drug from the system. Ideally, it takes a drug 5 to 6 half-lives to entirely remove a drug from the body. The half-life of a drug is said to remain unchanged irrespective of the duration of treatment and dosage prescribed.
The half-life of Adipex is 20 hours, and it will take the entire dose four days to be eliminated from the body.
Some tests can detect Adipex in your system for a longer duration after ingestion-
Blood – Blood tests can detect Adipex for up to 24 hours.
Urine – Adipex in the urine is tested by an amphetamine test and can be found for seven days after your last dose.
Hair- Hair follicle drug tests can detect Adipex for several months.
Precautions to be taken while using Adipex
- It is advised that you inform your doctor if you are allergic to amphetamines, appetite suppressants like diethylpropion, or any other allergies.
- It can make you dizzy or cause blurred vision, and it is advised that you abstain from alcohol and other CNS depressants as they may aggravate your side effects.
- In case you have diabetes, it is recommended that you regularly check your blood sugar levels.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will likely advise you against Adipex as it can have harmful effects on the baby.
- If you have been using this for a long time, you may develop a dependence or tolerance. You should inform your doctor if you think the dosage prescribed to you isn’t working instead of increasing it on your own.
- You should inform your doctor about your medical history, especially liver or kidney disease, heart condition, blood pressure problems, glaucoma, mental disorders like depression or anxiety, thyroid, etc.
How should you have Adipex?
Adipex is orally administered to patients and ideally should be had once a day. You can have your dose either one hour before or after breakfast. If you have been prescribed multiple doses, you can have them 30 minutes before meals. It is advised that you don’t have Adipex later in the day as it can cause insomnia.
The dosage and duration of treatment will be based on your medical condition and response to the medication. It is advised that you taper your dosage before you discontinue to avoid withdrawal symptoms.