Diethylpropion

Diethylpropion is a stimulant like an amphetamine. Diethylpropion is an appetite suppressant that works on the central nervous system.

Diethylpropion is used along with diet and exercise to help treat obesity in people who have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kilograms per square meter.

Diethylpropion is typically given after diet and exercise have been attempted without success.

Diethylpropion may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Do not use diethylpropion in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than what is recommended.

Diethylpropion may be habit-forming. Never share diethylpropion with anyone else, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot reach it. Selling or giving away this medicine is illegal.

The immediate-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken three times a day before meals.

The extended-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken once a day in the midmorning.

Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the medicine for 4 weeks while following a low-calorie diet.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

If you need surgery, inform the surgeon ahead of time that you are using diethylpropion. You may need to stop using the medicine temporarily.

Do not stop using diethylpropion suddenly after long-term use, or you could experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of your medicine. Diethylpropion is a drug of abuse, and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

You should not take diethylpropion if you are feeling very agitated, or if you have pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe high blood pressure, or a history of drug abuse.

Do not use diethylpropion if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not take diethylpropion with any other diet pills unless your doctor advises you to.

Do not use diethylpropion if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could happen. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You should not use diethylpropion if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• pulmonary hypertension;
• severe coronary artery disease;
• severe high blood pressure;
• an overactive thyroid;
• a history of drug abuse;
• glaucoma; or
• if you are in an agitated state.

Do not take diethylpropion with any other diet pills unless your doctor tells you to. Taking diethylpropion along with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can lead to a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension.

To ensure diethylpropion is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• high blood pressure;
• a heart valve disorder or heart rhythm disorder;
• seizures or epilepsy; or
• if you have taken any other diet pills in the past 12 months.

It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. If you take diethylpropion while pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This may cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Diethylpropion can pass into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Diethylpropion is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Diethylpropion may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• chest pain, shortness of breath (especially with exertion);
• swelling in your ankles or feet;
• anxiety, feeling nervous or jittery;
• muscle twitches;
• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest; or
• feeling light-headed, like you might pass out.

Common side effects of diethylpropion may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, constipation;
• headache, blurred vision;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
• depressed mood;
• dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• decreased sex drive; or
• redness, bruising, or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Obesity:

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.Comments:-Indicated for monotherapy use only.-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) on a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher and who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Over 16 years of age:IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.Comments:-Indicated for monotherapy use only.-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) on a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher and who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, panic, aggression, or seizure.

diethylpropion may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you begin or stop using, especially:

• insulin or oral diabetes medicines;
• blood pressure medicine; or
• medicine for mental illness.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diethylpropion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide.