What is the Appetite Suppressant Drug Adipex?

Adipex or Adipex-P, where P refers to Phentermine, is an appetite suppressant drug known to help people with weight problems. This is a schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, which means it requires a doctor’s prescription and it can only be used for a limited period of time.

How it Works

The chemical construction of this branded Phentermine is similar to that of an amphetamine, which is a habit-forming drug. It works to reduce hunger or simply the feelings of hunger by stimulating the hypothalamus and adrenal gland. The adrenal gland releases hormones that can override the body’s natural need and desire to eat, which causes suppression of appetite.

More than this, Adipex provides hormones in the body that helps in breaking down stored fats. Plus, it works to increase energy, which all in all, supports an increased chance of losing weight.

Proper Dosage

Adipex-P is prescribed to people who are obese or overweight. However, a person needs to be at least 17 years old to safely use this diet pill.

Today, Adipex is available in 37.5 mg tablet or capsule. Physicians usually prescribe three different dosages depending on an individual’s medical condition. One is a whole pill daily and another is half a tablet daily. It also is possible that you will be given a half a tablet dose twice daily. It is to be noted that Adipex must only be taken a few weeks at a time because this appetite suppressant drug can offer serious side effects if taken in a long term basis.

Your physician will tell you when the best time is to take Adipex. However, it is often recommended to take this an hour before breakfast or an hour or two after breakfast. For those who are taking Adipex twice daily, the last dose must not be taken too close to bedtime as this drug can keep you awake.

Also, when taking sustained-release Adipex capsules, you must swallow the capsule in whole. Crushing or chewing this kind of capsule can hamper its good effects to the individual as well as increase possibilities of side effects.

More Things to Know About Adipex

There is enough reason why Adipex is a controlled substance in the United States. Basically, it can offer side effects that can sometimes be life-threatening and it also is addictive. Hence, the intake of Adipex must always be under the supervision of a professional.

Before you take Adipex, understand that this diet pill is not good for everyone. There are several situations that will make you not a good candidate for Adipex intake. So, you must remember not to take this drug if you have the following:

• heart disease
• coronary artery disease
• high blood pressure (uncontrolled or severe)
• glaucoma
• overactive thyroid
• allergic to pills like amphetamines, stimulants, and cold medications
• alcohol or drug abuse history

Moreover, it must be noted that Adipex-P can interact with other drugs. For instance, when taken with fenfluramine or Phen-Fen and dexfenfluramine or Redux, it can result to a rare lung disorder, which is called pulmonary hypertension. For safety, it is best to discuss your medical history and the medications you have recently taken or medications you are currently taking so your doctor can evaluate your situation. Pregnant women, as well as those expecting to get pregnant and nursing mothers must also reconsider taking Adipex.

Is Adipex Effective?

Doctors prescribe this medication for up to 12 weeks only but its usual time frame is three to six weeks. Its effectiveness will greatly depend on how the individual is following the prescription and how his body is reacting to the drug.

Doctors will often prescribe this appetite suppressant drug together with a good diet meal plan and workout routine. Making sure the right diet and exercise program are followed, Adipex can increase chances of getting good weight loss results.

It must be noted that taking Adipex longer than prescribed does not increase chances of more weight loss. With the composition of Adipex, the body can easily adjust to its appetite suppressant properties after a few weeks. This means that its appetite suppressing effects will decrease when used for longer periods.