Phentermine Hydrochloride
FDA Label NDC 21695-509

Phentermine hydrochloride USP has the chemical name of α, α-Dimethylphenethylamine hydrochloride. The structural formula is as follows:

Image Of Structural Formula (42a2586d B025 4a42 83a3 747a880ed858 01)

Phentermine hydrochloride is a white, odorless, hygroscopic, crystalline powder which is soluble in water and lower alcohols; slightly soluble in chloroform and insoluble in ether.

(KVK TECH INC. manufacture)

Phentermine hydrochloride, an anorectic agent for oral administration, is available as:  a) powder-filled capsules containing 15 mg of phentermine hydrochloride(equivalent to 12mg of phentermine) or 30 mg phentermine hydrochloride ( equivalent to 24mg phentermine) and inactive ingredients:

Corn starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate. In addition, the 15mg capsules contain D and C Yellow #10, FD and C Blue #1, FD and C Red #3, FD and C Red #40, titanium dioxide and the 30mg capsules contain D and C Yellow #10, FD and C RED #3, titanium dioxide

b) bead-filled capsules containing 30mg phentermine hydrochloride (equivalent to 24mg phentermine) and inactive ingredients:

Corn starch, sucrose, hypromellose, povidone, and talc. In addition, the capsule contains FD and C Blue #1-Brilliant blue FCF aluminum lake, D and C Red # 28 and gelatin.

(LANNETT COMPANY, INC. manufacture)

Phentermine hydrochloride, an anorectic agent for oral administration, is available as: powder-filled capsules containing 30 mg of phentermine hydrochloride (equivalent to 24 mg of phentermine base) and inactive ingredients: corn starch, magnesium stearate, lactose anhydrous.

In addition, the natural/blue capsules contain gelatin, D and C Red # 28, and FD and C Blue # 1; the yellow/yellow capsules contain gelatin, D and C Yellow # 10, FD and C Red # 3, and titanium dioxide; the black/black capsules contain gelatin, FD and C Yellow # 6, FD and C Blue # 1, and FD and C Red # 40. The imprinting ink for the natural/blue capsules and yellow/yellow capsules contains the following ingredients: shellac glaze in ethanol, iron oxide black, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, SDA 3A alcohol, FD and C Blue # 2 Aluminum Lake, FD and C Red # 40 Aluminum Lake, FD and C Blue # 1 Aluminum Lake, and D and C Yellow # 10 Aluminum Lake. The imprinting ink for the black/black capsules contains the following ingredients: shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, strong ammonia solution, yellow iron oxide, and dimethicone.

(MUTUAL Phamaceutical manufacture)

Phentermine hydrochloride, an anorectic agent for oral administration, is available as a capsule containing 30 mg of phentermine hydrochloride (equivalent to 24 mg Phentermine). In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, gelatin, magnesium stearate, povidone, titanium dioxide, FDA/E 172 Yellow Iron Oxide. The imprinting ink contains FD and C Blue #2, FD and C Red #40, FD and C Blue #1 and D and C Yellow #10 Lake.

Phentermine hydrochloride is a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity similar to the prototype drugs of this class used in obesity, the amphetamines. Actions include central nervous system stimulation and elevation of blood pressure. Tachyphylaxis and tolerance have been demonstrated with all drugs of this class in which these phenomena have been looked for.

Drugs of this class used in obesity are commonly known as "anorectics" or "anorexigenics." It has not been established that the action of such drugs in treating obesity is primarily one of appetite suppression. Other central nervous system actions, or metabolic effects, may be involved, for example.

Adult obese subjects instructed in dietary management and treated with "anorectic" drugs lose more weight on the average than those treated with placebo and diet, as determined in relatively short-term clinical trials.

The magnitude of increased weight loss of drug-treated patients over placebo-treated patients is only a fraction of a pound a week. The rate of weight loss is greatest in the first week of therapy for both drug and placebo subjects and tends to decrease in succeeding weeks. The possible origins of the increased weight loss due to the various drug effects are not established. The amount of weight loss associated with the use of an "anorectic" drug varies from trial to trial, and the increased weight loss appears to be related in part to variables other than the drugs prescribed, such as the physician-investigator, the population treated and the diet prescribed. Studies do not permit conclusions as to the relative importance of the drug and non-drug factors on weight loss.

The natural history of obesity is measured in years, whereas the studies cited are restricted to a few weeks' duration; thus, the total impact of drug-induced weight loss over that of diet alone must be considered clinically limited.

Phentermine hydrochloride is indicated as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m², or ≥ 27 kg/m² in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia).

Below is a chart of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on various heights and weights.

BMI is calculated by taking the patient's weight, in kilograms (kg), divided by the patient's height, in meters (m), squared. Metric conversions are as follows: pounds ÷ 2.2 = kg; inches × 0.0254 = meters.

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The limited usefulness of agents of this class

(see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY)

should be measured against possible risk factors inherent in their use such as those described below.

Advanced arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines, glaucoma.

Agitated states.

Patients with a history of drug abuse.

During or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (hypertensive crises may result).

Phentermine hydrochloride capsules are indicated only as short-term monotherapy for the management of exogenous obesity. The safety and efficacy of combination therapy with phentermine and any other drug products for weight loss, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine), have not been established. Therefore, coadministration of these drug products for weight loss is not recommended.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)—a rare, frequently fatal disease of the lungs—has been reported to occur in patients receiving a combination of phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine. The possibility of an association between PPH and the use of phentermine alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of PPH in patients who reportedly have taken phentermine alone. The initial symptom of PPH is usually dyspnea. Other initial symptoms include: angina pectoris, syncope or lower extremity edema. Patients should be advised to report immediately any deterioration in exercise tolerance.

Treatment should be discontinued in patients who develop new, unexplained symptoms of dyspnea, angina pectoris, syncope or lower extremity edema.

Valvular Heart Disease

Serious regurgitant cardiac valvular disease, primarily affecting the mitral, aortic and/or tricuspid valves, has been reported in otherwise healthy persons who had taken a combination of phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss. The etiology of these valvulopathies has not been established and their course in individuals after the drugs are stopped is not known. The possibility of an association between valvular heart disease and the use of phentermine alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of valvular heart disease in patients who reportedly have taken phentermine alone.

Tolerance to the anorectic effect usually develops within a few weeks. When this occurs, the recommended dose should not be exceeded in an attempt to increase the effect; rather, the drug should be discontinued.

Phentermine hydrochloride may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle; the patient should therefore be cautioned accordingly.

Usage with Alcohol

Concomitant use of alcohol with phentermine hydrochloride may result in an adverse drug interaction.

General

Caution is to be exercised in prescribing phentermine hydrochloride for patients with even mild hypertension.

Insulin requirements in diabetes mellitus may be altered in association with the use of phentermine hydrochloride and the concomitant dietary regimen.

Phentermine hydrochloride may decrease the hypotensive effect of guanethidine.

The least amount feasible should be prescribed or dispensed at one time in order to minimize the possibility of overdosage.

Studies have not been performed with phentermine hydrochloride to determine the potential for carcinogenesis, mutagenesis or impairment of fertility.

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with phentermine hydrochloride. It is also not known whether phentermine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Phentermine hydrochloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.