Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: drugs for depression (e.g., TCAs such as imipramine, SSRIs and SNRIs such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, duloxetine), high blood pressure medicine (e.g., guanethidine, methyldopa), phenothiazines (e.g., prochlorperazine, promethazine, chlorpromazine), other stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, methylphenidate, street drugs such as cocaine or MDMA/"ecstasy").
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause dizziness or drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk when combined with this medication such as isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others.
Check the labels on all your medicines/herbal products (e.g., cough-and-cold products containing decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, diet aids such as phenylpropanolamine, ephedra/ma huang) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate.
This medication may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including brain scan for Parkinson's disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Adipex is one of the most commonly prescribed obesity treatment pills in the United States. That said, though this drug can be highly effective for the right patients, it is not intended for everyone. It is not appropriate for individuals who are only seeking to lose a few pounds for cosmetic weight loss. Doctors are not allowed to prescribe this medication unless patients have reached a certain level on the body mass index (BMI).
Moreover, this Adipex can conflict with some other medications such as MAO inhibitors, so it should not be used by anyone who is taking those medications or who have done so with in the last 14 days. The prescribing doctor should be informed of all health conditions and medications (prescription or nonprescription) that are being taken in order to avoid potential conflicts.
Adipex Prescription Information
It is important to take Adipex pills precisely as they have been prescribed by the doctor. The directions have been created to ensure the maximum safety and efficacy of the medication. Taking more or less of the medication, taking it more or less frequently, and taking it for a longer or shorter period of time may not make it work any better, but could increase the risk of unpleasant side effects.
The doctor’s instructions for taking the drug should be printed on the prescription label, but if you have any questions about what they mean or how you should be taking it, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.
As Adipex is a stimulant, it is usually recommended that it should be taken on an empty stomach before breakfast, or within the first two hours after eating breakfast. Making sure that you do not take it any later than 6:00 pm will help to avoid possible insomnia or other problems with sleep.
Adipex Side Effects
When you turn on the news at any time of the day, the first stories you will see are those of negativity, death, and destruction. As a society, we’ve begun to anticipate that the world is full of bad things and that we always need to be watching our backs. After all, it seems that everything and everyone is out to do us harm. But is this really the case? In truth, the news promotes the ugly stories first in order to grab the attention of the viewers. We have, admittedly, begun to only be impressed by the flashy stories, not the ones about good things which happen in society. When the news talks about diet pills and other medications, like Adipex, it seems the news wants to focus only on the bad things which happen to a tiny few of the pill users. And you deserve to hear the complete story about this popular diet pill.
The Good
Using Adipex can help to save you from the yoyo of weight loss and weight gain. Instead of simply losing twenty pounds, then gaining it all back because you went back to your old eating habits, you can use Adipex to begin to learn new ways of living. Since Adipex is an appetite suppressant, you will find that you aren’t as hungry as you once were, helping you to cut back on your calories without even having to count. You will simply eat less at each meal, which will allow you to lose weight each week. In addition, people who use Adipex report having more energy and that fat begins to melt off their body at a rapid rate. Since the Adipex prescription is designed to boost the fight or flight response, it causes the body to burn fat for energy, but this also helps the struggling dieter.
The Bad
But as with any prescription medication, there are side effects, even if they’re just mild effects. One of the most common side effects of Adipex is insomnia. If a patient takes an Adipex pill too close to bedtime, they might find it’s more difficult to fall asleep. This is a normal reaction to the medication. The patient can merely change the time at which they take the pill, helping them to be more sleepy at bedtime. Other patients have reported that they can be a little anxious for the first few days they are taking the pill. This is also normal as the introduction of more adrenaline into the body can cause it to be shaky. Once the body becomes accustomed to the medication, it will feel less anxious.
The Ugly
Now, there are some serious side effects which can happen when you’re on Adipex. These typically occur when the patient is taking the Adipex in the incorrect manner or when they are taking other prescription drugs without their doctor’s knowledge. You need to take Adipex exactly as directed on the packaging. When you take the pill in the incorrect manner, it can stimulate the body too much, causing a number of troubles – digestive troubles, vomiting, higher blood pressure readings, etc. You should only take a prescription as directed and never for a longer time period than it recommended by the prescribing physician. In addition, the patient should disclose all medications to their doctor as Adipex can interact with many, causing fatal results. This is especially the case in those who are taking antidepressants and heart medications. In fact, doctors will not prescribe Adipex to these patients because of the high risk to their health.
In addition, Adipex can become addicting when it is taken in larger amounts over longer periods of time. Only take Adipex for the amount of time your doctor recommends.
The Truth about Adipex and You
In the end, the only person who can decide if Adipex is dangerous is you. You need to weigh the risks and the benefits of Adipex for yourself. When this medication is taken properly, it is considered safe. It’s been approved by the FDA for a number of decades now and people have used it to improve their health by allowing them to lose more weight than the may have been able to on their own. Those who only follow the 12 week treatment plan will begin to lose weight and when they are eating balanced meals, this will continue to promote good health and results.
Adipex is not effective for everyone as you need to be committed to eating well and still exercising. Since this medication can not be taken for a long period of time, it is just the starting point for those with many pounds to lose. But this starting point can be the push you need to make sure you reach your weight loss goals this time.