What is Phentermine?

Category: Prescription Drugs

Most popular types: Adipex-P Duromine Ionamin

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Phentermine is an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight when used short-term and combined with exercise, diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight and works by reducing appetite.

Reported purpose & perceived effectiveness
Purpose Patients Evaluations Perceived Effectiveness
Weight loss 99 53
Fatigue 39 18
Support weight loss 30 18
Obesity 5 4
Exhaustion 4 1
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) 3 1

Show all 21 reasons taken


  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell

Side effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Side effects as an overall problem
Severity Evaluations Percentage
Severe 10
Moderate 10
Mild 22
None 44

Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Phentermine

Side effect Patients Percentage
Dry mouth 5
Insomnia 5
Jittery feeling 4
Anxious mood 3
Constipation 3
Tachycardia (fast heart rate) 3

Show all 33 reported side effects

Why patients stopped taking Phentermine

Multiple reasons could be selected

Reason Patients Percentage
Did not seem to work 16
Other 16
Doctor's advice 15
Course of treatment ended 10
Expense 10
Side effects too severe 10
Change in health plan coverage 1
See all 62 patients who've stopped taking Phentermine

Duration

Stopped taking Phentermine

Duration Patients Percentage
Less than 1 month 7
1 - 6 months 30
6 months - 1 year 9
1 - 2 years 9
2 - 5 years 3
5 - 10 years 1
10 years or more 1
Adherence
Adherence Evaluations Percentage
Always 67
Usually 8
Sometimes 5
Never taken as prescribed 6
Burden
Burden Evaluations Percentage
Very hard to take 1
Somewhat hard to take 2
A little hard to take 7
Not at all hard to take 76
Cost per month
Cost per month Evaluations Percentage
$200+ 2
$100-199 6
$50-99 7
$25-49 21
< $25 30
Not specified 20

What people switch to and from

Patients started taking Phentermine after stopping:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Aripiprazole (Abilify) 1
Levothyroxine (Synthroid) 1
Metformin (Metformin ER) 1
Phentermine (Adipex-P) 1
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) 1

Patients stopped taking Phentermine and switched to:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) 2
Modafinil (Provigil) 2
Benzphetamine (Didrex) 1
Diethylpropion (Anfepramona) 1
Orlistat (Alli) 1

Show all 6 treatments patients report switching to

Last updated:

8 patient evaluations for Phentermine

Nov 24, 2015 (Started May 02, 2015)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for weight loss)
  • Side effects
    Severe (tachycardia (fast heart rate), heart palpitations)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Cost: < $25 monthly

  • 0 helpful marks

Oct 7, 2014 (Started Mar 15, 2011)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for daytime sleepiness)
  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for fatigue)
  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for Support weight loss)
  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for loss of energy)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 37.5 mg Daily

  • 0 helpful marks

Feb 1, 2012 (Started Dec 23, 2011)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for fatigue)
  • Side effects
    Mild (weight loss)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 20 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: $100-199 monthly

Jan 23, 2012 (Started Dec 23, 2011)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for fatigue)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 20 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
Cost: $100-199 monthly

  • 0 helpful marks
Last updated:
Showing 3 of 8 patient evaluations for Phentermine