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In this Article

• What is phendimetrazine (Phendimetrazine Tartrate)?
• What are the possible side effects of phendimetrazine?
• What is the most important information I should know about phendimetrazine?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phendimetrazine?
• How should I take phendimetrazine?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking phendimetrazine?
• What other drugs will affect phendimetrazine?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phendimetrazine?

You cannot take phendimetrazine if you

• have heart disease or high blood pressure;
• have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
• have glaucoma;
• have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or
• have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• problems with your thyroid,
• an anxiety disorder,
• epilepsy or another seizure disorder, or
• diabetes.

You may not be able to take phendimetrazine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether phendimetrazine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether phendimetrazine passes into breast milk. Do not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take phendimetrazine?

Take phendimetrazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Phendimetrazine is usually taken once a day (sustained release formula) or two to three times daily (immediate-release formula) before meals on an empty stomach.

Do not take phendimetrazine in the evening because it may cause insomnia.

Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" phendimetrazine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.

Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much phendimetrazine could be very dangerous to your health.

Store phendimetrazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.