Phentermine Hcl (phentermine HCl)

Amphetamines/Anorexiants/Stimulants Oral Capsule; Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Phentermine is an amphetamine congener that is used as an anorexigenic agent.

Phentermine is used as an adjunct to exercise, behavioral modification, and caloric restriction in the short-term management (a few weeks) of exogenous obesity. Phentermine therapy is indicated for patients with no underlying risk factor but a pretreatment body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater and those with an underlying risk factor (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia) and a pretreatment BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater. Phentermine is indicated only for monotherapy in the management of exogenous obesity; the drug should not be used in combination with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

To help bring about and maintain loss of weight, the patient must be taught to curtail overeating and to consume a suitable diet. Phentermine also has been used for longer periods+ combined with fenfluramine+ (no longer commercially available in the US) in selected patients for the management of this condition. Such combined+ long-term therapy had been used widely in the 1990s in the management of exogenous obesity.

However, because of accumulated data on adverse effects associated with the drugs, fenfluramine hydrochloride (Pondimin(R)) and its dextrorotatory isomer dexfenfluramine hydrochloride (Redux(R)) were withdrawn from the US market in 1997. (See Cautions and also see Cautions, in the Amphetamines General Statement 28:20.04.)

Generic name: phentermine HCl
Pronunciation: (FEN-ter-meen)
Drug class: Amphetamines/Anorexiants/Stimulants
Therapeutic class: Weight Loss/Gain Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Phentermine Hcl:

  • Weight Loss Management For Obese Patient (body mass index 30 or greater)
  • Weight Loss Management For Overweight Patient With Bmi 27 To 29 And Weight-Related Comorbidity

Dosing

The usual adult dosage of phentermine hydrochloride is 8 mg 3 times daily, given 30 minutes before meals. Alternatively, 15 or 30 mg of phentermine as the resin complex, or 15-37.5 mg of phentermine hydrochloride, may be given as a single daily dose in the morning.

Drug interactions

Insulin requirements in patients with diabetes mellitus may be decreased in association with the use of phentermine and the concomitant dietary regimen and weight loss; therefore, phentermine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Like amphetamines, phentermine may decrease the hypotensive effect of guanethidine.

Contraindications

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Adverse reactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Weight loss management for obese patient (body mass index 30 or greater)
E66ICD10CMOverweight and obesity
E66.0ICD10CMObesity due to excess calories
E66.01ICD10CMMorbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories
E66.09ICD10CMOther obesity due to excess calories
E66.1ICD10CMDrug-induced obesity
E66.2ICD10CMMorbid (severe) obesity with alveolar hypoventilation
E66.8ICD10CMOther obesity
E66.81ICD10CMObesity class
E66.811ICD10CMObesity, class 1
E66.812ICD10CMObesity, class 2
E66.813ICD10CMObesity, class 3
E66.89ICD10CMOther obesity not elsewhere classified
E66.9ICD10CMObesity, unspecified
Z68.3ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 30-39, adult
Z68.30ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 30.0-30.9, adult
Z68.31ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 31.0-31.9, adult
Z68.32ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 32.0-32.9, adult
Z68.33ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 33.0-33.9, adult
Z68.34ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 34.0-34.9, adult
Z68.35ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 35.0-35.9, adult
Z68.36ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 36.0-36.9, adult
Z68.37ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 37.0-37.9, adult
Z68.38ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 38.0-38.9, adult
Z68.39ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 39.0-39.9, adult
Z68.4ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 40 or greater, adult
Z68.41ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 40.0-44.9, adult
Z68.42ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 45.0-49.9, adult
Z68.43ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 50.0-59.9, adult
Z68.44ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 60.0-69.9, adult
Z68.45ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 70 or greater, adult
Z68.55ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] pediatric, 120% of the 95th percentile for age to less than 140% of the 95th percentile for age
Z68.56ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] pediatric, greater than or equal to 140% of the 95th percentile for age
Weight loss management for overweight patient with bmi 27 to 29 and weight-related comorbidity
E66.3ICD10CMOverweight
Z68.27ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 27.0-27.9, adult
Z68.28ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 28.0-28.9, adult
Z68.29ICD10CMBody mass index [BMi] 29.0-29.9, adult

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data