Diethylpropion ER

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 03, 2024

Warnings

Diethylpropion HCl Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Diethylpropion can cause serious health complications in certain people. Talk to your healthcare provider about other options for weight reduction based on your risk profile. Some of the risks of taking diethylpropion include:

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION: Diethylpropion is linked to an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. People who take appetite suppressants such as diethylpropion for more than 3 months are at a 23 times higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. Tell your doctor if you have a history of pulmonary hypertension prior to starting treatment. Stop taking diethylpropion and contact your healthcare provider without delay if you develop signs of pulmonary hypertension. Symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, and lower extremity edema suggest this complication.
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Other drug therapies for appetite suppression, such as fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, have been linked to an increased risk of valvular heart disease. Using high doses, using these drugs for a long time, and the use of other anorectic drugs at the same time are possible contributing factors. A causal relationship remains uncertain, specifically with respect to diethylpropion, but this risk cannot be completely ruled out. Before starting treatment, your doctor may perform a baseline cardiac evaluation. Diethylpropion may not be safe for you if you have preexisting valvular heart diseases or other cardiovascular diseases such as uncontrolled or severe hypertension, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, or a prior heart attack.
TOLERANCE AND DRUG ABUSE: The body can get used to diethylpropion and stop responding to it after a few weeks of treatment. This is called tolerance. Tell your doctor if the recommended dose appears to have stopped working. If tolerance develops, do not increase the dose without your doctor’s approval. Doing so will not help you lose weight faster but can put you at a high risk of drug dependence and other serious health complications.
Diethylpropion is chemically similar to amphetamines and other CNS stimulants that have a potential for abuse. This medication can be habit-forming. Misuse and abuse may lead to psychological and physical dependence on the drug. Hallucinations, toxic psychosis, and other unexplained symptoms, such as bone marrow depression, have been reported after high doses.
Suddenly stopping the use of diethylpropion after prolonged use or high doses may lead to a withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal symptoms may include extreme fatigue, restlessness, mental depression, and sleep difficulties.
RISKS WITH OTHER ANORECTIC DRUGS: Taking diethylpropion with other appetite-suppressant drugs, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products, can be dangerous. Discuss your weight loss plan with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Do not take other drugs for weight loss without talking to your healthcare professional.

Precautions Before Starting Diethylpropion HCl

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to diethylpropion, any of the active or inactive ingredients in diethylpropion tablets or extended-release tablets, other drugs used to suppress appetite, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of all your medicines, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid potentially serious interactions between diethylpropion and your other medications.

Give your health care professional a complete medical history. Diethylpropion may not be safe for people with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, valvular heart disease, blood vessel disease, pulmonary hypertension, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, glaucoma, seizures, or substance abuse.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy soon, or are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Diethylpropion HCl

Keep all your medical and lab appointments during treatment with diethylpropion.

Tell your doctor if diethylpropion is not working for you. Do not increase the dose of this medicine without talking to your health care professional. Remember, this medicine only works as an add-on to caloric restriction.

Diethylpropion can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. Alcohol can make these side effects worse. Avoid drinking alcohol while on this medicine.

Elderly patients (65 years of age and older) should talk to their doctor about the benefits versus risks of taking diethylpropion.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on diethylpropion.

Diethylpropion HCl Drug Interactions

Certain other medicines can affect how diethylpropion works. Possible interactions between diethylpropion and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications, switch you to other therapies, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between diethylpropion and your other medicines.

The following medications may have interactions with diethylpropion:

Medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as guanethidine
Diabetes medications such as insulin
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) (current use or use in the last 14 days)
Vitamins
Herbal products
Other diet pills within the past year

The above list does not include all the possible drug interactions of diethylpropion. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use street drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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