A third of US population is considered obese, and studies show that the rate will continue to increase. But why worry about the number of obesity in the country? Obesity is a serious health condition that needs to be addressed immediately. It increases the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes to name a few. The lives and lifestyles of many obese people are also affected because of this condition. It also affects their emotional and social well-being. With these undesirable effects, obesity should be treated as soon as possible. The usual exercise and dieting is the way to lose weight for some. However, these are not enough if you are already obese. Losing 200 pounds or more is almost impossible if there is no proven medication to take.

Treating obesity is not as simple as exercising and following a fad diet. Weight loss pills are also recommended together with lifestyle changes to make it easier for an obese individual to lose weight. This combo is more effective especially for people at high risk of obesity-related diseases. One of the weight loss pills commonly prescribe by doctors is Phentermine. This is a stimulant with similar characteristics with amphetamine. It suppresses the appetite by directly affecting how the central nervous system works.

How to take Phentermine right

Phentermine is an effective medication for obesity. However, its efficacy depends on how it is administered. It’s best to follow the doctor’s prescription to ensure the success of the treatment.

For those who are already successful in their weight loss endeavor, they have something in common. They took Phentermine the right way – from the dosage to length of treatment. Please note that this drug is available in different forms and different dosages. Here’s a guide on how to take each form:

Capsules. 15 to 30 mg of capsule should be taken once a day, an hour before or 2 hours after breakfast.
Disintegrating tablets. One tablet a day, taken each morning.
Extended-release capsules. Recommended dosage is one capsule a day before breakfast.
Tablets. Those 18.75 mg to 37.5 mg should be taken once a day preferably one to two hours after breakfast.

Phentermine is recommended only for 17 years old and older. Children are prescribed with a different kind of medication to help them lose weight. This drug should not be taken 3 to 4 hours before sleep to avoid insomnia. In case of a missed dose, it’s best to take it as soon as possible. But just wait if it’s almost time for your next dose. Never take double doses to avoid experiencing some negative body reactions.

Avoiding the side effects

Phentermine is an effective anti-obesity drug. But you may also experience some side effects during the treatment. Some of common side effects include:

• Hyperactivity
• Feeling restless
• Headache
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Unpleasant taste
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

These side effect are temporary. But if you can’t tolerate these effects, ask the help of your doctor. He can adjust the dose or revise your weight loss program. Besides taking the right dosage at the right time, it also helps to drink more water. It will not only hydrate you but also help address one of the side effects of Phentermine, which is dry mouth.

Sustained weight loss with Phentermine

Remember that Phentermine is not a magic pill that makes you slim in an instant. It is a medication used to help you lose weight by making you feel less hungry. You can also adopt a new lifestyle, control your diet, and become active to fast track your weight loss. Exercising at least 3 times a week is a good start. Do whatever you can — jog, walk, dance, or swim. It will tighten loose muscles and also help in burning more calories. You can also sustain your weight loss by sticking to your daily calorie allowance. You can check your basal metabolic rate, or the amount of calories you burn even if you sleep all day. You can easily do this by using calorie calculators or some online apps.

Again, Phentermine is not a magic pill. It will help you lose weight but you should also adopt ways to facilitate the weight loss process. Use it as prescribed and you can expect positive results in no time.