Phentermine

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Phentermine
Clinical data
Trade namesIonamin, Suprenza, others
Other namesα-methyl-amphetamine
α,α-dimethylphenethylamine
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682187
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B3
Dependence
liability
Physical: not typical
Appetite suppressant[3]
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityHigh (almost complete)[5]
Protein bindingApproximately 96.3%
MetabolismLiver[5]
Elimination half-life25 hours, urinary pH-dependent[5]
ExcretionKidney (62–85% unchanged)[5]
Identifiers
  • 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine
JSmol)
  • NC(Cc1ccccc1)(C)C
  • InChI=1S/C10H15N/c1-10(2,11)8-9-6-4-3-5-7-9/h3-7H,8,11H2,1-2H3 checkY
  • Key:DHHVAGZRUROJKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

Phentermine (

tertiary-butyl amine), sold under the brand name Ionamin among others, is a medication used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity.[3] It is taken by mouth for up to a few weeks at a time, after which the benefits subside.[3] It is also available as the combination phentermine/topiramate.[6]

Common side effects include a fast heart beat, high blood pressure, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and restlessness.

CNS stimulant.[3] Chemically, phentermine is a substituted amphetamine.[8]

Phentermine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1959.

fen-phen, of which it was a part, was withdrawn from the market in 1997 due to side effects[11] of fenfluramine which caused increased levels of circulating serotonin which stimulated serotonin receptors on heart valves and thus causing valve insufficiency and leading to primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health) there is no evidence that phentermine causes PPH.[citation needed
]

Medical uses

Phentermine is used for a short period of time to promote weight loss, if exercise and calorie reduction are not sufficient, and in addition to exercise and calorie reduction.[5][12]

Phentermine is approved for up to 12 weeks of use and most weight loss occurs in the first weeks.[12] However, significant loss continues through the sixth month and has been shown to continue at a slower rate through the ninth month.[13]

Contraindications

Phentermine is

contraindicated for users who:[5][12]

Adverse effects

Tolerance usually occurs; however, risks of dependence and addiction are considered negligible.[13][14] People taking phentermine may be impaired when driving or operating machinery.[12] Consumption of alcohol with phentermine may produce adverse effects.[12]

There is currently no evidence regarding whether or not phentermine is safe for pregnant women.[5][12]

Other adverse effects include:[5][12]

  • Cardiovascular effects like palpitations, tachycardia, high blood pressure, precordial pain; rare cases of stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure and cardiac arrest have been reported.
  • Central nervous system effects like overstimulation, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, tremor, dizziness and headache; there are rare reports of euphoria followed by fatigue and depression, and very rarely, psychotic episodes and hallucinations.
  • Gastrointestinal effects include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, cramps, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, and constipation.
  • Other adverse effects include trouble urinating, rash, impotence, changes in libido, and facial swelling.

Interactions

Phentermine may decrease the effect of drugs like clonidine, methyldopa, and guanethidine. Drugs to treat hypothyroidism may increase the effect of phentermine.[12]

Mechanism of action

Phentermine has some similarity in its

epinephrine
– also known as noradrenaline and adrenaline respectively – causing fat cells to break down stored fat as well.

History

In 1959, phentermine first received approval from the United States FDA as an appetite-suppressing drug.[17] Eventually a hydrochloride salt and a resin form became available.[17]

Phentermine was marketed with

fen-phen.[18] In 1997, after 24 cases of heart valve disease in fen-phen users, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were voluntarily taken off the market at the request of the FDA.[19] Studies later showed nearly 30% of people taking fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for up to 24 months had abnormal valve findings.[20]

Phentermine is still available by itself in most countries, including the US.[17] However, because it is similar to amphetamine, it is classified as a controlled substance in many countries. Internationally, phentermine is a schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[21] In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In contrast, amphetamine preparations are classified as Schedule II controlled substances.[22]

A company called Vivus developed a combination drug, phentermine/topiramate that it originally called Qnexa and then called Qsymia, which was invented and used off-label by Thomas Najarian, who opened a weight-clinic in Los Osos, California in 2001; Najarian had previously worked at Interneuron Pharmaceuticals, which had developed one of the fen-phen drugs previously withdrawn from the market.[23] The FDA rejected the combination drug in 2010 due to concerns over its safety.[23] In 2012 the FDA approved it after Vivus re-applied with further safety data.[24] At the time, one obesity specialist estimated that around 70% of his colleagues were already prescribing the combination off-label.[23]

Chemistry

Phentermine is a

molecular formula of phentermine is C10H15N
.

Names

The term ‘phentermine' is contracted from

.

It is marketed under many brand names and formulations worldwide, including Acxion, Adipex, Adipex-P, Duromine, Elvenir, Fastin, Ionamin, Lomaira (phentermine hydrochloride), Panbesy, Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate), Razin, Redusa, Sentis, Suprenza, and Terfamex.[25]

References

  1. .
  2. .
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Phentermine Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  4. ^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "METERMINE (Phentermine)" (PDF). TGA eBusiness Services. iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Phentermine and topiramate Uses, Side Effects & Warnings". Drugs.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Phentermine Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  8. ^
    PMID 22502775
    .
  9. ^ "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Phentermine - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  11. .
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "Phentermine label at FDA" (Last updated: January 2012). FDA. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  13. ^
    PMID 11493122
    .
  14. ^ .
  15. . we confirmed agonistic activity at human TAAR1 of several other compounds, including the trace amines octopamine and tryptamine, the amphetamine derivatives l-amphetamine, d-methamphetamine, (+)-MDMA, and phentermine, and the catecholamine metabolites 3-MT and 4-MT (Bunzow et al., 2001; Lindemann and Hoener, 2005; Reese et al., 2007; Wainscott et al., 2007; Wolinsky et al., 2007; Xie and Miller, 2007; Xie et al., 2007).
  16. .
  17. ^ .
  18. ^ Kolata, Gina (23 September 1997). "How Fen-Phen, A Diet 'Miracle,' Rose and Fell". New York Times. NY, NY, USA.
  19. ^ "FDA Announces Withdrawal Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen)". Fda.gov. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  20. PMID 12788841
    .
  21. ^ Convention on Psychotropic Substances Archived 14 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  22. S2CID 20072687
    .
  23. ^ a b c Pollack A (16 February 2012). "Diet Treatment, Already in Use, to Get F.D.A. Review". The New York Times.
  24. ^ "FDA approves weight-management drug Qsymia". FDA. 17 July 2012.
  25. ^ "International brands for phentermine". Drugs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.

External links

  • "Phentermine". International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). the World Health Organization (WHO).