Phendimetrazine Tartrate

Information on Phendimetrazine Tartrate

Tablets
Chemical Name: PHENDIMETRAZINE (fen-dye-MET-ra-zeen)

Common uses
This medicine is an appetite suppressant used along with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity.

Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking guanadrel, guanethidine, furazolidone, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (such as phenelzine), or if you have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days. DO NOT START OR STOP ANY MEDICINE without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR if you are highly nervous or agitated or if you have a history of drug abuse. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have heart problems; moderate, severe, or uncontrolled high blood pressure; or hyperthyroidism. Use of this medicine in children under age 12 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR before meals. TAKE YOUR LAST DOSE OF THE DAY at least 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is after 4 pm, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Some of these products may contain tartrazine dye (FD&C Yellow No. 5). This may cause an allergic reaction in some patients. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to tartrazine, ask your pharmacist if your product has tartrazine in it. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may cause serious side effects. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking this medicine without your doctor's approval. When used for an extended period of time, this medicine may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medicine stops working well. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include agitation, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, or dry mouth. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience changes in sex drive, frequent urination or trouble urinating, severe headache or dizziness, sweating, tremor, unusual behavior, personality changes, or stomach pain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, or seizures. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Additional information
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2009. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.