Diethylpropion is used along with a doctor-approved, calorie-reduced diet, exercise, and behavior modification program to help you lose weight. It is used in people who are significantly overweight (obese) and have not been able to lose enough weight with diet and exercise alone. Losing weight and keeping it off can reduce the many health risks that come with obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and a shorter life.
It is not known how this medication helps people lose weight. It can work by reducing appetite, increasing the amount of energy the body uses, or by affecting certain parts of the brain. This medicine is an appetite suppressant and belongs to a class of medicines called sympathomimetic amines.
How it is used
Take the immediate release form of this medication by mouth, usually 3 times a day 1 hour before meals or as directed by your doctor. If eating late at night is a problem, your doctor may ask you to take another dose in the evening. Taking this medicine late in the day may cause sleep problems (insomnia).
The prolonged-release form of diethylpropion is usually taken once daily in the mid-morning. Do not crush or chew prolonged-release tablets. Doing so may release all of the medicine at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not divide the tablets unless they have a dividing line and the doctor or pharmacist asks you to do so. Swallow whole or divided tablets without crushing or chewing.
The dose is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor will adjust the dose to find the best dose for you. Use this medicine regularly and exactly as prescribed to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Diethylpropion is usually only taken for a few weeks at a time. It should not be taken together with other appetite suppressants (see also the section on drug interactions). The possibility of serious side effects increases with longer use of this medicine and the use of this medicine together with certain other slimming drugs.
If you suddenly stop using this medicine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms (such as depression, severe fatigue). To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may reduce your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used diethylpropion for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist straight away if you experience withdrawal.
Although it helps many people, this medication can sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (eg drug/alcohol abuse or dependence). Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for longer than prescribed. Stop taking the medicine properly when told to do so.
You should see some weight loss shortly after starting this medication. Tell your doctor if you do not see at least 4 pounds of weight loss within 4 weeks of starting this medication. This medicine may stop working well after you have been taking it for a while. Talk to your doctor if this medicine stops working well. Do not increase the dose unless your doctor has told you to. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine.
Side Effects
Warnings and Precautions
Storage
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. Dispose of this product properly when it has expired or is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacy or local waste disposal company for more information on how to safely dispose of the product.
Drug interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of possible drug interactions and can monitor you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine without consulting them first.
This medicine should not be used with certain medicines because very serious interactions can occur. If you are taking or have taken other appetite suppressant medicines in the last year (eg phentermine, ephedra/ma huang), tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking this medicine.
Using MAO inhibitors with this drug can cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this drug. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medicine. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medicine.
If you are currently using any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medicine.
Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter/herbal medicines you use, especially: medicines for high blood pressure (eg, guanethidine, methyldopa), phenothiazines (eg, prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine), other central stimulants (e.g. amphetamine, methylphenidate, narcotic substances such as cocaine or MDMA/”ecstasy”).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, such as opioid pain relievers or cough suppressants (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), medicines for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine) or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels of all your medications (such as allergy or cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist how to use these products safely.
Some products contain ingredients that can increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Tell the pharmacist which products you use, and ask how you can use them safely (especially cough and cold remedies or slimming aids).
Caffeine may increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, cola) or eating large amounts of chocolate.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use before using this product. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
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Missed doses:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of the next dose or late at night, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose to make up for what was lost.
Notes:
Appetite suppressants should not be used in place of proper diet. For best results, this medicine must be used in conjunction with a doctor-approved diet and exercise program.
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