Question:
I heard from my family doctor that Phentermine is already banned in
the US (I live in Hong Kong). However, another doctor I have been
consulting about weight loss have prescribed me Phentermine. My
question is, which diet medication is better? Reductil or Phentermine?
I have taken Reductil before and the side effects I experienced
were mild. However, when I took Phentermine, I noticed an increase in
heart rate and some degree of restlessness. I feel that Phentermine is
a much stronger drug than Reductil but is it harmful to take it for
1-2 months? Shall I continue taking Phentermine? Thanks, Natalie


Answer:

I heard from my family doctor that Phentermine is
already banned in the US (I live in Hong Kong). However, another
doctor I have been consulting about weight loss have prescribed me
Phentermine. My question is, which diet medication is better? Reductil
or Phentermine? Natalie, all diet pills are harmful (including the
two that you mentioned) and you are taking a risk by using them.
Weight loss or weight gain is simply intake and output. Diet pills may
very well work but you are cheating your body in the respect that you
can achieve the same results by changing your diet and exercising.
People say all of the time that they've tried "everything" but cannot
lose the weight. There's a message right there - they've never stuck
with any one good plan for very long. We are all creatures of habit
and we want to be able to do what we want and eat what we want. When
we were younger, most of us could eat and drink and it didn't affect
us. Now, as we are getting older, our bodies are changing and settling
(and spreading, unfortunately). I'm not sure how old you are and how
overweight you are but I know that a diet and exercise plan is
something you need to incorporate into your life (for the rest of your
life) in order to achieve and maintain your wanted result. It stinks
and it's difficult to do but it entirely beats irreversable kidney,
heart or liver problems. I myself am a good 20 pounds overweight. I
would love to lose it but I'm too lazy to stick with anything,
honestly. Even though I know I'm overweight, I'm happy. However, I
plan on trying to stay on an exercise plan again (yeah right!) since I
see so many people with so many health problems that a lot of the time
is associated with being overweight. I don't want to be a statistic
anymore that the next person. Please reconsider taking the pills -
they will lead to trouble.

Answer:
Hey natying, how are you doing?

The agency encourages all health care professionals to report any cases of cardiac valvular disease or other serious toxicities associated with the use of fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, or phentermine to the FDA's MEDWATCH program at 1-800-FDA-1088/fax 1-800-FDA-0178; or to the respective drug manufacturers.

In a letter to doctors, FDA noted that as of July 8, 1997, the agency has received reports of 33 cases of unusual abnormalities in mitral, aortic, and tricuspid heart valves in women between the ages of 30 and 72 who had been taking fenfluramine and phentermine for 1 month to 28 months. In addition, the agency is notifying manufacturers to meet with FDA to discuss possible labeling changes.

Because of the seriousness of the cardiac problems and their rare occurrence in otherwise healthy obese women in this age range, FDA believes patients and health care professionals should be notified of this information.

Best wishes,

Answer:
[:)]I just quit taking phentermine...but it seems my appetite 'revives' soon after quitting it....of course...I gain some pounds....but I no longer wake up at 5 am......I can have a better sleep...