Phentermine

Consumer Complaints & Reviews

The surviving half of the notorious phen-fen, phentermine is still being prescribed as an appetite suppressant. It is widely sold by Internet pharmacies and, besides weight loss, there are indications that it is being used as a form of "speed" in some circles, because of its tendency to induce insomnia.

Phentermine is nothing new. It was the first appetite suppressant introduced in the U.S. and was approved by the FDA in 1959 -- but only for short-term use in obesity treatment, generally not more than 90 days. While phentermine is often successful in creating a full feeling and thus reducing food intake, its effects generally last only six weeks or so and it is thus not a permanent answer to weight control. Anyone using the drug must be carefully monitored since primary pulmonary artery hypertension, a lethal condition, is a known side effect.

In the 1980s, drug companies began marketing phentermine in combination with fenfluramine, creating a potent duo that, unfortunately, also tended to cause serious complications, including leaky heart valves and pulmonary hypertension. Lately, researchers have found that neurotoxicity and short-term memory impairment are also associated with these drugs. The long-term implications of this remain to be seen.

In Europe, the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products, the equivalent of the FDA, has recommended that pentermine be withdrawn from the market because it doesn't work.

Emily of Irvine, CA on Dec. 11, 2011

Satisfaction Rating: 1/5

I started using Phentermine in 2009 to help me lose weight. I had heard about it. I went to my doctor and she prescribed it. She said it was safe and it would be good for me to use. I did a lot of research on it and never saw anything that would be a specific side effect. I took it for 7 weeks. The first 3 weeks, I dropped 20 pounds. I was eating a regular based 1400 cal. diet with fruits and vegetables. In week 4, I was losing my hair. In week 5, my heart began racing even if I climbed a flight of stairs to go to my apartment. In week 6, my face was extremely pale. Looking back at photos, I looked very pale and almost grey.

I never had any health issues before taking this product, besides being slightly overweight. I wouldn't have taken it knowing this would be the case. The side effects that I still have after I stopped it for almost 2 years are rapid heart rate and having anxiety, and it's all in my left side. I have gone to the doctor repeatedly and have had tests run, and it comes back fine. Yet, I get this feeling every time I think of it or talk about my experience. If I could tell people the issues I have experienced in a 7 week time, I don't think they would take the medication. I think they should remove it from the market, so that no one else has these problems.

terica of interlachen, FL on July 22, 2010

I had been using the pills as prescribed by my doctor. I started taking the pills in '08. My blood pressure was high then I stopped taking them. I got it controlled then I started taking them again last year. I had mild chest pain, slight dizziness, and memory loss. I stopped taking them then I'm started back taking them again this month, and still the same thing. I still haven't gotten over the short term memory loss.

Sue of Las Vegas, NV on Aug. 25, 2009

I began taking phentermine diet pills in June of 2009 and I kept taking them until the middle of July 2009 but I stopped taking them because I began to notice that I was having pain in my hips,legs, feet, & lower back. I didn't think anything of it until I read some information on the medication online and I became very concerned. I realize now that the phentermine may have cause some sort of nerve or muscle damage in my hips, legs, feet and back. And now I don't know what to do. I do not have health insurance now because I lost my job and I am still having severe pain in my hips, feet, legs and back.

I have severe pain in my hips, legs, feet and back. I have a hard time walking for long periods of time, as well as standing. It is very hard for me to go up stairs. And sometimes I hurt so bad that I can barely walk at all.

Ramona of Bronx, NY on July 2, 2009

I place an order, and the order was replace for a different item. according to their fine print. if the order needs to be substitute for any reason the contat the customer either by email or mail correspondance. they did neither of these. now they dont want to refund my credit card nor do they want to take the product back.

the policy on the website clearly stated that they would not refund prescription medications due to federal law. however what i received was not a prescribed medicine. they charged my credicard $148.85 for something completetly different than what i order.

Margie of Farmington Hills, MI on June 24, 2009

I was not "overweight" being 5'3" weighing 155lbs. However, I wanted to lose 20lbs to put myself in the recomended weight range and BMI. I began using Phentermine/Adipex in the spring of 2008. The first month of use, I lost 20lbs!!! I knew that was too fast, I got scared and began to "wean" myself from the medication. My side effects were: extremely dry cotton mouth, uncontrollable shaking of the hands,noticeable hyperactivity by those around me, extreme sweating, inability to sleep, inability to eat. Because I was able to lose the weight that I wanted to lose, I was "ok" with the other side effects.

However, when I decreased my intake of phentermine/Adipex I was able to eat again but noticed I no longer had much muscle mass, as if along with the fat, my muscle had been eaten away. I didn't like that my arms and legs now felt like mush,although small mush. I noticed the decreased effectiveness of the medication as more weeks went on. After no more than 8weeks of taking the medication, I stopped taking it altogether because it no longer suppressed my appetite. At that time, not only did my normal appetite return, but it brought an insatiable appetite and couldn't seem to get full! My cravings increased and seemed to be irresistable! Before I knew it, not only had I regained the 20lbs back! I gained an extra 24lbs along with it in a span of just two months!

I couldn't control my appetite, as if the discontinuing of phentermine/Adipex disconnected the appetite center in my brain making me unable to recongnize when I had enough food to eat. I have been back to my doctor several times after going on a 2-4month "detox" to free my "phentermine receptors" so the medication could work again, but now more than a year from my first dose of phentermine/Adipex, it still does not work for appetite suppression. The best it does for me is put me in a more wakeful state but not hyperactive. It does no more than a cup or two of coffee would do. I no longer use it and I still have a few weeks worth of pills in my cabinet. I'm still tipping my scale at 179lbs! I still have an insatiable appetite in which I am desperately seeking an effective/legal appetite suppressant!

Since discontinuing phentermine/Adipex, I have been experiencing (multiple times a day/at any random moment) episodes of a feeling I can best describe as light-headedness and feeling like I'm going to faint. It comes with this sensation that circles only my head and upper chest area. The way it travels is as if I could trace my finger along the areas as it moves along, lasting under 30seconds, making me afraid of the feeling of getting ready to pass out.

Thankfully, as of today, I have not fainted, but this symptom worries me and I have nothing to relate it to other than my no longer taking phentermine/Adipex. It's like a withdrawal symptom thats lingering on for quit a bit of time. Might I note that I take my Blood pressure on occassion as well as at work (I'm an RN) and I do not have high blood pressure.

Villette of Houston, TX on May 23, 2001

I ordered the prescription drug phentermine for the 2nd time online. The first time was with a different site and was fine (for $300.00). This order for 199.00 is totally fake. I have taken this drug for years and can tell the difference between real and fake. I know I have no recourse but is there any advise you could give me? I hate to see them getting away with this.