November 8, 2022
The Skinny on Phentermine
Phentermine is an FDA-approved, prescription-strength appetite suppressant. Phentermine is the generic of the brand-named medication called Adipex. This medication decreases appetite and food intake, leading to weight loss.
When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, Phentermine helps reduce appetite, maintain your eating habits, and boost energy.
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and stimulant which is meant to be used in addition to diet and exercise. By reducing appetite, this medication makes it easier for people to make better food choices, eat smaller portions, and transition into a healthier lifestyle.
Taking Phentermine alone with no attention to diet will not help you lose weight as effectively. Counting calories and changing bad habits is what will ultimately help you lose weight and keep it off!
95% of patients who use Phentermine experience positive results, with an average weight loss between 4-8 pounds per month. Although, about 10% of our patients lose an estimated 10 pounds a month!
Absolutely. Phentermine has been around since 1959, so its safety profile is well known.
Fen-Phen was a weight loss medication that contained the two drugs Fenfluramine and Phentermine. Fenfluramine (not Phentermine) was the drug taken off the market in 1997 because of its link to heart valve problems. Phentermine has been around for decades and there have been no reported cases of heart valve disease with Phentermine alone.
Phentermine is well-known, affordable, and proven effective.
Phentermine has stimulating effects similar to amphetamines. Phentermine activates the sympathetic nervous system and “tricks” the body into thinking it’s not hungry.
Phentermine is not covered by most insurance companies. Many private insurers do not cover “lifestyle drugs” for weight loss. (Lifestyle drugs is a term commonly applied to medications that are prescribed for non-life threatening states of health.)
However, many patients can use their FSA (flexible spending account) and HSA (health savings account) cards to pay for their visits and medication. Sometimes FSA users are required to submit an itemized receipt for their payment, and we are happy to provide that for you if needed.
At Cordova Weight Loss, the office visit price is $50, and the cost of a one-month supply of Phentermine is $25. Be sure to check the cordovaweightloss.com homepage for discounts or new patient specials.
Yes. Phentermine is a controlled substance and requires an office visit for every prescription. Phentermine is also a stimulant medication, so it needs to be prescribed under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Phentermine is not recommended for people with a history of heart problems (such as stroke, heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, etc), people already taking stimulant medications (Adderrall, Vyvanse), patients with glaucoma, and patients with an over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism). However patients with an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism) are okay to take Phentermine.
This is why it is important the Nurse Practitioner has your full medical history at your visit. The Nurse Practitioner will review your history and current medications to make sure it’s safe for you to take.
Cordova Weight loss prescribes Phentermine to patients between the ages of 18 and 64. Patients under the age of eighteen (16-17 year olds) may be eligible for Phentermine with the approval of their parent or legal guardian. Minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian when being evaluated by a Nurse Practitioner to determine whether or not they can qualify for the medication.
Start with half a Phentermine tablet, first thing in the morning, with a full glass of water. You can increase to a whole pill if the effectiveness of a half pill decreases. Do not take more than one pill in 24 hours. It is important to take your medicine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with plain water. Wait thirty minutes to one hour before eating or drinking anything but water, because food and/or drink can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Phentermine and appetite suppressants are meant to be used in addition to a diet and exercise plan, not in place of! Just taking Phentermine alone with no attention to your diet will not help you lose weight as effectively. You need to count calories, change your habits and transition into a healthier lifestyle, so that when you wean off your phentermine, you will not gain the weight you lost back.
Side effects include diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, an unpleasant taste, hives, impotence, palpitations, high blood pressure, and fast heart rates. Central nervous system side effects include overstimulation, insomnia, restlessness, tremor and dizziness.
When used properly for weight loss, Phentermine has a low potential for dependence.
However, Phentermine is classified as a controlled substance, and every controlled substance has the potential for misuse. This is why it is important to follow the dosing instructions provided by your healthcare provider, and why we monitor every patient prescribed Phentermine each time they return for another supply.The Nurse Practitioner will evaluate you during your visit to determine whether Phentermine is a good choice based on your medical history.
To get started on Phentermine, come to Cordova Weight Loss for an office visit ($50). We are located at 1660 Bonnie Ln Suite 105 Cordova, TN 38016. No need to make an appointment; just come in during office hours. Your initial visit will be longer, due to paperwork and answering questions, but follow-up visits should usually be much quicker. Most visits are done within 30-35 minutes!
by JoAnna Lagownik