Losing weight is challenging, especially as you age, but it's not impossible. If changing your diet and exercising regularly isn't enough, you may benefit from medical weight loss options like ADIPEX-P®, also known as phentermine.
ADIPEX-P is a drug that reduces your appetite and makes you feel full longer, decreasing the amount of calories you eat for efficient weight loss – but it doesn't come without risks. Knowing everything possible about phentermine is essential before deciding if it's for you.
At Novell Primary Care and Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida, our specialists use various methods to help you lose weight, including ADIPEX-P, meal plans, fitness routines, and fat-burning shots.
If you're interested in losing weight quickly and effectively, our team evaluates your health and goals to determine if phentermine is right for you.
ADIPEX-P, or phentermine, is a prescription drug approved by the FDA for weight loss. It's a stimulant medication that makes you feel full longer and reduces appetite.
Phentermine is chemically similar to the drug amphetamine, which is a controlled, dangerous substance – but phentermine is, in small doses, safe for weight loss. It can lead to dependence, so you must have a prescription, and a healthcare professional should monitor you while taking it.
While taking phentermine, you'll feel full with less food and be hungry less often, allowing you to eat fewer calories. Reduced caloric intake and regular physical activity lead to weight loss over time.
Phentermine works on the neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. When the levels of these neurotransmitters rise, hunger pangs typically decrease, allowing you to eat less.
Certain people shouldn't take phentermine for weight loss because of the risks associated with their health and the drug. People who can't take phentermine include those with:
You also shouldn't take this medication if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to get pregnant within the next few months. Before beginning weight loss treatment, you must ensure you're healthy enough to take phentermine.
Please speak to our team about any reservations or concerns about taking phentermine for weight loss. You can rest easy knowing we carefully evaluate your health and goals to determine if this treatment is for you.
Side effects are an unfortunate part of taking any medication, but they don't always happen to everyone. It's essential to consider any medication's side effects before taking it so you know what to expect.
Phentermine isn't any different than other medications in the fact that it comes with some possible side effects, including:
Infrequent side effects include high blood pressure, cognitive impairment, and low potassium levels.
Phentermine is meant to control appetite temporarily. It is not safe for long-term use, so you shouldn't take it longer than our team prescribes.
Everyone loses weight differently, and it may take several weeks or months to reach your goal. However, to avoid dangerous health complications, you shouldn't take phentermine for more than 12 weeks at a time.
If you still have more weight to lose after 12 weeks of phentermine, our team will evaluate your health and goals to develop a new weight loss strategy.
To find out if phentermine is an option for you, call our office in Tallahassee, Florida, today to schedule an appointment or book a consultation on the website.
