Phendimetrazine Tartrate

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

Last Reviewed: Mar 18, 2024

Warnings

Phendimetrazine Tartrate Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Phendimetrazine tartrate can cause serious symptoms and health complications in certain people. Talk to your healthcare provider about other options for weight reduction if you are at a high risk of complications from this medicine. Some of the risks of taking phendimetrazine tartrate include:

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION: Phendimetrazine tartrate can cause pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). The risk of this happening is especially high in people who are taking other appetite suppressant drugs or who take anorectics for more than a few weeks. The risk of pulmonary hypertension is up to 23 times higher in people who take phendimetrazine tartrate and other CNS stimulants for more than 3 months. Stop taking phendimetrazine tartrate and contact your healthcare professional immediately if you develop serious symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling in the lower legs, or fainting.
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Some anorectic drugs like fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine have been linked to an increased risk of valvular heart disease. Using high doses, a longer duration of treatment, and use of other appetite suppressant drugs at the same time are possible risk factors. However, no heart valve damage has been reported in people who took phendimetrazine tartrate alone. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of symptomatic cardiovascular disease, including uncontrolled or severe hypertension (high blood pressure), chest pain, heart valve disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or heart attack.
TOLERANCE AND DRUG ABUSE: After a few weeks of taking phendimetrazine tartrate, the body can get used to this medication and it can become less effective—this is called tolerance. If this happens, you should stop taking the medicine.
Phendimetrazine tartrate is chemically similar to amphetamines and other CNS stimulants that are extensively abused. There is a possibility of abuse of phendimetrazine tartrate. This should be kept in mind when assessing the risks versus benefits of using this drug as part of a weight loss program. Abuse can lead to intense psychological dependence and social dysfunction. There are reports of people who took many times the recommended dose of phendimetrazine tartrate.
Suddenly stopping this medication after prolonged use or high doses can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including depression, extreme fatigue, unusual restlessness, and changes in sleep EEG (brain activity).
Chronic intoxication with anorectic drugs can cause severe skin problems, insomnia, hyperactivity, irritability, and personality changes, including psychosis that appears clinically similar to schizophrenia in severe cases.
Do not take more than the recommended maximum dose of phendimetrazine tartrate. It will not help you lose weight faster but will put you at a high risk of addiction and other serious health complications.
RISK WITH OTHER APPETITE SUPPRESSANT DRUGS: It can be dangerous to take phendimetrazine tartrate with other anorectics (drugs that suppress your appetite), including prescription drugs and over-the-counter or herbal products. Discuss your weight loss plan with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Do not take multiple medications for weight loss without talking to your healthcare professional.

Precautions Before Starting Phendimetrazine Tartrate

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to phendimetrazine tartrate, any of the active or inactive ingredients in phendimetrazine tartrate tablets or extended-release tablets, tartrazine (yellow dye), 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 very serious interactions between phendimetrazine tartrate and your other medications. People who are taking medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) or have taken them within the last 14 days should not take phendimetrazine tartrate.

Give your health care professional a complete medical history. Phendimetrazine tartrate may not be safe for people with certain health conditions, such as symptomatic cardiovascular disease, including valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure). Also, tell your doctor if you have a history of overactive thyroid or substance use disorder (drug abuse).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breast-feeding. This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if a pregnant woman takes it. It is unclear if this and other similar drugs pass into breast milk.

Elderly patients (age 65 and above) should talk to their doctor about the safety of taking phendimetrazine tartrate for appetite suppression. There may be other safer alternatives available.

Precautions During Use of Phendimetrazine Tartrate

Keep all your medical and lab appointments during treatment with phendimetrazine tartrate. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose and monitor you for side effects.

Tell your doctor if phendimetrazine tartrate 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.

Phendimetrazine tartrate 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.

Tell your doctor if you notice even mild hypertension (a slight increase in your blood pressure readings at home).

If you have diabetes mellitus, your insulin and diabetes medication requirements may change after starting phendimetrazine tartrate and a reduced-calorie dietary regimen. Talk to your health care professional about blood sugar control while on this medication.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on phendimetrazine tartrate.

Phendimetrazine Tartrate Drug Interactions

Certain other medicines can affect how phendimetrazine tartrate works. Possible drug interactions between phendimetrazine tartrate 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 phendimetrazine tartrate and your other medicines.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors at the same time or within 14 days of phendimetrazine tartrate. Examples of MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam), phenelzine (Nardil), linezolid (Zyvox), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

The following medications can also have serious interactions with phendimetrazine tartrate:

Central nervous system stimulants such as methylphenidate
Tricyclic antidepressants such as amoxapine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, lofepramine, nortriptyline, and others
Medications used to treat high prolactin levels, such as cabergoline
Migraine medications such as dihydroergotamine and ergotamine
Respiratory medications such as doxapram
Medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as guanethidine
Insulin and diabetes medications
Other medications for weight loss

The above list does not include all the possible drug interactions of phendimetrazine tartrate. 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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