Phentermine - controlled substance?

[Jackie B]

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Hi guys, so I told my new doctor I was trying to lose weight and he gave me a prescription for phentermine. This stuff is great! I lost like 5-7 lbs this month. I called his office to see if I can get another month of it but he said I need to come in because it's a controlled substance. wtf? really? Have you guys really seen people addicted to this stuff? To be honest though I can imagine being emotionally addicted to it if it helps you lose weight haha

 

[Sparda29]

Hi guys, so I told my new doctor I was trying to lose weight and he gave me a prescription for phentermine. This stuff is great! I lost like 5-7 lbs this month. I called his office to see if I can get another month of it but he said I need to come in because it's a controlled substance. wtf? really? Have you guys really seen people addicted to this stuff? To be honest though I can imagine being emotionally addicted to it if it helps you lose weight haha

Yes it is a controlled substance. It is similar to amphetamines, which are addictive. One of our professors while on the epilepsy module last year was telling us that the FDA was looking at combining phentermine with topiramate because of very high weight loss potential, but the FDA committee ruled against giving it approval.

By the way, unless you're also doing diet modification and increasing physical activity, once you stop taking the drug, you're likely going to gain the weight back.

 

[Jackie B]

Yes it is a controlled substance. It is similar to amphetamines, which are addictive. One of our professors while on the epilepsy module last year was telling us that the FDA was looking at combining phentermine with topiramate because of very high weight loss potential, but the FDA committee ruled against giving it approval.

By the way, unless you're also doing diet modification and increasing physical activity, once you stop taking the drug, you're likely going to gain the weight back.

Oh interesting. Yeah my doc did tell me to exercise with it so I started doing that. I am eating less ofcourse but not necessarily better, I should do that too. Honestly I don't have that much weight to lose (I was shocked to read about it online and how its used for morbidly obese ppl) but I told him I was really unmotivated to do anything so he suggested I try this for a month or two since the initial weight loss would encourage me to keep trying.

Whoever comes up with a relatively safe weight loss pill is going to make BANK. I mean I shelled out 30 bucks for this stuff cuz apparently the insurance doesnt cover it and it's the lowest dosage and only for 1 month! that's a buck a pill! I know there's more expensive stuff out there but still...

 

[Jabberwocky12]

I know phentermine acts as a weight loss pill. Do the other amphetamines like Adderall, Concerta, Vyvanse, etc. act as a weight loss stimulator as well? Even through indirect mechanisms?

I know when exercising the body needs to reach a target heart rate to burn calories (like 70-85% of max heart rate) so if the amphetamines raise the heart rate as well, wouldn't it be doing the same thing?

Just trying to figure out the difference there 😛

 

[J ROD]

I know phentermine acts as a weight loss pill. Do the other amphetamines like Adderall, Concerta, Vyvanse, etc. act as a weight loss stimulator as well? Even through indirect mechanisms?

I know when exercising the body needs to reach a target heart rate to burn calories (like 70-85% of max heart rate) so if the amphetamines raise the heart rate as well, wouldn't it be doing the same thing?

Just trying to figure out the difference there 😛

They can.....depends.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

They can.....depends.

Care to elaborate? I'm interested in these kinds of things because it's like bridging 2 different fields of knowledge I somewhat know about.

 

[HaloKing]

3 months of therapy... then you take 6 months off before you can re-try..

is Jabberwocky12 and Jackie B the same person?

When you work out your heart rate is increased; inversely, raising your heart-rate thru chemical means does NOT mean your body is getting a workout!

B1 = heart, B2 = bronchioles, B3 = lipolysis/thermogenesis

 

[Jabberwocky12]

3 months of therapy... then you take 6 months off before you can re-try..

is Jabberwocky12 and Jackie B the same person?

When you work out your heart rate is increased; inversely, raising your heart-rate thru chemical means does NOT mean your body is getting a workout!

B1 = heart, B2 = bronchioles, B3 = lipolysis/thermogenesis

No we're not the same. I just thought about this earlier this week and I saw a post so I decided to ask so I didn't look like I was trying to solicit medical advice over a curiosity.

I didn't think it worked that way, amphetamines have an appetite suppressing trait though so maybe that is what contributes more to weight loss due to portion control.

Thanks for the study, I'm very interested to read that. Thanks!

 

[Jabberwocky12]

I thought it was more of increased metabolism not suppressed appetite.. but what do i know, i've had too much bud light and "sake" tonight (apparently that is how you spell Jap alcohol)

FYI: i only post on student doctor when i've been drinkin

Nah I thought it was metabolism as well. But another feasible option to me would be the appetite suppression as well since you eat less in each portion. I know some people who don't eat while the drug is in the peak concentration before they crash (8-10 hrs) where they just don't want to eat. They have to force themselves to eat something because they drag along without it. So the body still seems to need the energy.

Another question then: Does the body realize it is starving if you don't feel the hunger? If you don't want to eat, regardless of it being 10 hrs or so, will the body start to slow down metabolism to reserve calories in "starvation mode?"

 

[owlegrad]

Nah I thought it was metabolism as well. But another feasible option to me would be the appetite suppression as well since you eat less in each portion. I know some people who don't eat while the drug is in the peak concentration before they crash (8-10 hrs) where they just don't want to eat. They have to force themselves to eat something because they drag along without it. So the body still seems to need the energy.

Another question then: Does the body realize it is starving if you don't feel the hunger? If you don't want to eat, regardless of it being 10 hrs or so, will the body start to slow down metabolism to reserve calories in "starvation mode?"

The weight loss effect of amphetamines is temporary. It has an appetite suppressing effect, but it is temporary and the weight usually returns. I don't recall if it's because tolerance develops or some other mechanism, but amphetamines do not work as long term weight loss agents. I think they used to be used for this purpose but they just didn't work the way people hoped they would.

 

[Doctor M]

The weight loss effect of amphetamines is temporary. It has an appetite suppressing effect, but it is temporary and the weight usually returns. I don't recall if it's because tolerance develops or some other mechanism, but amphetamines do not work as long term weight loss agents. I think they used to be used for this purpose but they just didn't work the way people hoped they would.

appetite suppression and increase heart rate effect i believe...

 

[Jabberwocky12]

appetite suppression and increase heart rate effect i believe...

Does the body initiate the starvation responses on the medicine with appetite suppression effect? I haven't gone over that in any of my bio classes yet but I know a signal is sent to the brain indicating it is hungry. Does the signal for hunger in the brain start the starvation response, does the starvation send the signal to the brain, or are they independent functions altogether.

I'm skinny enough as it is so it's no big deal to me 😛

Funny think about quick weight loss. People who lose weight without any change in habits gain it back once the crutch is taken away that helped them lose it. That definitely comes from experience alright.

 

[J ROD]

Care to elaborate? I'm interested in these kinds of things because it's like bridging 2 different fields of knowledge I somewhat know about.

Mainly through appetite suppression...but as mentioned they are not that effective as a long term solution. The body will adapt usually.

Best solution for losing weight is to move more and eat less.

 

[Pharmavixen]

I know phentermine acts as a weight loss pill. Do the other amphetamines like Adderall, Concerta, Vyvanse, etc. act as a weight loss stimulator as well? Even through indirect mechanisms?

Yes they do, and it's through the same mechanism. That's why we monitor wt and growth in kids on ADHD drugs. And add Strattera to this list.