Does Phentermine work? Is it a miracle pill and is it right for you?
Many of our Orlando patients are curious about Adipex (generic name: phentermine) prescriptions. They wonder whether it could be a vital part of their weight loss program. Our standard answer is that it all depends. Each patient presents a different scenario. Each individual’s weight loss needs can vary based on body mass index (BMI) and overall health. While our doctor may prescribe phentermine as a part of an overall plan, it’s important to understand: what it is, what it does, and why it can help in losing weight.
What is it? The Cliff notes:
Phentermine Hydrochloride (HCL) is taken orally.
As part of the Sympathomimetic grouping of appetite suppressing medications, short term use can benefit patients who need to manage exogenous obesity.
When used with diet, exercise and supervised by a health/nutritional coach, it has also been found to help you adopt new eating and exercise habits.
Often patients note that it provides some freedom around their dietary cravings and essentially allows them to reset their relationship with food.
The drug’s Branded Name
Adipex–P (AKA, Generic Name: Phentermine)
“Adipex-P is prescription medication for appetite suppression”
Background
For those that like to understand the origin of things, here is a brief history of the drug.
Phentermine is most likely most prescribed appetite suppressant. It was affordable and widely available once approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1959.
It has gone through several variations since then and is now available and considered safe and effective.
How does it work? Does it burn fat?
While there may be many reviews online in places such as Youtube (see some comments on that below) and Amazon (which can’t legally sell you the drug by the way), we find that there remains some confusion about how the drug actually works. This should clear up the science behind the medicine.
Phentermine works to suppress your appetite by affecting specific neurotransmitters and stimulating your hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that manages the autonomic nervous system. This includes regulating certain aspects of human health like body temperatures, sleeping, appetite, and a few others. Before you run off to try to get your own script, you should note that it’s not that it actually burns fat, rather it helps you control what you eat so that you can focus on the food types that promote fat burning. In essence, it you gives you better control over your appetite.
Patient Reviews:
Many of our Orlando patients report that once they begin taking phentermine, it is almost as if they have to force themselves to eat. It creates a natural tendency to control your portions. We have noticed that reviews that you find online are often made for the purpose of selling an alternative weight loss program so be aware of that.
However, most of the time when you see reviews for people taking things such as phentermine 37.5 (on YouTube), most report having some weight loss success and usually they talk about common side effects, which in most cases are relatively mild. If you do come across some of the more severe side effects, it will become clear why you need to coordinate your taking phentermine with a licensed physician, who can help you navigate these issues.
Our doctor will cover the side effects at your consult.
Of course, we feel compelled to mention that phentermine isn’t designed to be a replacement for proper diet and exercise and should not be relied on as the sole method for losing weight, but it can help. For best results, phentermine should be used as a supporting medication to assist you in sticking to a calorie appropriate diet and a regular exercise routine.
Other Questions and Concerns
How long should you take it?
Typically, you shouldn’t take it for longer than 3 months. The effects can begin to wear off as time passes. You should also monitor side effects. At Svelte MD, we suggest that you include other supporting herbal / natural remedies to continue to encourage appetite suppression.
Where can you buy phentermine and can you get it online?
Only a licensed physician can prescribe it. Beware of people claiming to sell the product without a prescription. You may not know what you are getting.
Scams
Because of the tremendous amount of buzz on the market about the drug, some companies have developed “non-prescription” versions of the appetite suppressant. Many of these carried derivatives of the names (like phentramine and phentarmine, for example). Be sure you are aware of the knock offs which don’t have the same effect ingredients. You can’t buy it online without a prescription.
If I am currently on medication for health issues, can I still take it as an appetite suppressant?
It is important to get a proper assessment of your condition before you begin taking any prescription medication. Our medical experts will be able to fully assess your conditions and provide a specific recommendation for your condition. You can usually take it without a problem if your medication stabilizes your health. Cardiovascular conditions are not a good combination with appetite suppressants. Please bring a list of all your current medications so that we can determine whether there are any contraindications.