Appetite Suppressants

Phentermine (Adipex) & Phendimetrazine (Bontril)

Oral Phentermine Hydrochloride (HCL) and Phendimetrazine are sold for weight loss. They are in the Sympathomimetic family of appetite suppressants (used for the short-term management of excess weight.) When used in conjunction with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy, phentermine and phendimetrazine may help you to lose weight while you are learning new ways to eat and to exercise. Phentermine and Phendimetrazine work by stimulating the hypothalamus gland and affecting certain neurotransmitters to decrease appetite. Phentermine is a long acting appetite suppressant (lasts all day) and Phendimetrazine is a short acting appetite suppressant (lasts a half day).

Phentermine and Phendimetrazine should NOT be used as a substitute for proper diet or exercise. For maximum effects, they must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and/or exercise. Any modifications in your diet, activity level, and behavior must be developed and continued long-term in order to continue losing weight and prevent the lost weight from returning.
Our Program

We offer both Phentermine and Phendimetrazine in various strengths here at our office. The cost of your first visit with Dr. Bird is $150, this visit also includes your first 30 day supply of Phentermine or Phendimetrazone. FSA & HSA cards are accepted as a form of payment! Fees also include a review of your medical history and discussion about taking this medication. Additional monthly refills cost $50 and you don't have to pay another office visit. Please continue to read the rest of this page to find out more about Phentermine and Phendimetrazine. If you wish to be prescribed another type of appetite suppressant please ask, there are other options. We service patients all over the valley including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Fountain Hills and Ahwatukee.
Phentermine & Phendimetrazine side effects

Along with its needed effects, phentermine and phendimetrazine may cause unwanted side effects, some being symptoms of serious heart or lung problems.

Please consult Dr. Bird immediately if you notice:

    Chest pain
    Decreased ability to exercise
    Fainting
    Swelling of feet or lower legs
    Trouble in breathing

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. For a complete list of side effects please click here.
What to tell your doctor before taking phentermine or phendimetrazine

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of phentermine (or other appetite suppressants).

Please inform your doctor if you suffer from, or have suffered from:

    Advanced Atherosclerosis
    Alcohol Abuse (or history of)
    Allergies - Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to:

Phentermine amphetamine dextroamphetamine
ephedrine epinephrine isoproterenol
metaproterenol methamphetamine norepinephrine
phenylephrine phenylpropanolamine pseudoephedrine
terbutaline other appetite suppressants dyes
food preservatives

    Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes) - It may be necessary to change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medicine that you take.
    Drug Abuse or Dependence (or history of) - Dependence on phentermine may be more likely to develop.
    Family History of Mental Illness - Mental depression or other mental illness may be more likely to occur.
    Glaucoma
    Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) - phentermine may worsen the condition.
    Kidney Disease - The chance of serious side effects may increase due to higher blood levels of phentermine.
    Mental Illness
    Moderate to Severe Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    Symptomatic Cardiovascular Disease
    The use of a Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the last 2 weeks

Pregnancy - It is not known if phentermine or phendimetrazine cause birth defects in humans. Prior to taking this medication, tell Dr. BIrd if you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant.
Medications that may react with phentermine or phendimetrazine

Certain medicines should never be used together, however, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your primary care doctor or Dr. Bird may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

When you are taking phentermine (or other appetite suppressants), it is especially important that you inform Dr. Bird if you are taking any of the following:

    Amantadine, i.e. - Symmetrel
    Amphetamines
    Caffeine, i.e. - NoDoz
    Chlophedianol, i.e. - Ulone
    Cocaine
    Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems
    Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays)
    Methylphenidate, i.e. - Ritalin
    Nabilone - i.e. Cesamet

Other diet pills or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as:

    citalopram, i.e. - Celexa
    fluvoxamine, i.e. - Luvox
    sertraline, i.e. - Zoloft
    fluoxetine, i.e. - Prozac
    paroxetine, i.e. – Paxil

Pemoline, i.e.- Cyler - These medicines in conjunction with Sympathomimetic appetite suppressants may increase the central nervous system (CNS) stimulant effects, such as irritability, nervousness, trembling or shaking, or trouble in sleeping.

Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors - phentermine (or any other appetite suppressant) taken in conjunction with or less than 14 days after taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor may suddenly provoke extremely high blood pressure.
How and when to take phentermine

Phentermine should be taken on an empty stomach, once daily, prior to breakfast. If in tablet form, the tablet may be broken or cut in half.

As phentermine may disrupt normal sleep patterns, avoid taking a dose late in the day.

The following information is specific only to the average doses of phentermine. The recommended dose of phentermine may be different for different patients. If your dose is different, do NOT change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Adults under age 60 taking phentermine

    Oral dosage form (Tablets) - 15 to 37.5 mg once/day before breakfast or 1-2 hours after breakfast. Instead of taking it once a day, your doctor may tell you to take 15 to 37.5 mg in divided doses one-half hour before meals.

Adults age 60 and over taking phentermine: A reduced dosage may be necessary. Consult your physician.

Maximum dosage recommendations

Take phentermine ONLY as directed by Dr. Bird.

    Do NOT take more of it
    Do NOT take it more often, and
    Do NOT take it for a longer time than ordered.

If too much phentermine is taken, it may cause unwanted effects or become habit-forming.

Please speak with Dr. BIrd if you think that phentermine is not working properly after you have taken it for a few weeks. DO NOT increase the dose.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the scheduled dose. Do NOT double the dose.

In case of overdose

It is unlikely for an overdose of phentermine to be life-threatening. If you or someone you know takes a much larger dose than recommended, please phone Dr.Bird's office, 911, or the nearest poison control center immediately.

Sharing your phentermine prescription

Do NOT share your phentermine prescription with others.
Phentermine Contraindications

Alcohol - Alcohol may increase unwanted side effects of dizziness, therefore, it is advisable to limit alcohol use while taking phentermine (or other appetite suppressants).

Diabetes - Phentermine may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar test, or if you have any questions or concerns, please consult your doctor.

Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) - Phentermine (or other appetite suppressants) may worsen the condition.

Kidney disease - The chance of serious side effects may increase due to higher blood levels of phentermine.

Driving and hazardous work - Phentermine (or other appetite suppressants) may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being or to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than normal. Do NOT drive or engage in hazardous work until you know how the medicine affects you.

Surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment - Taking phentermine in conjunction with medicines that are used during surgery or dental or emergency treatments may cause serious side effects. Prior to surgery or treatment, inform the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.