Can phentermine cause heart failure? Risks, long-term effects and more

Phentermine is a stimulant for the brain and spinal cord. It can suppress a person’s appetite and is popular as a weight loss drug.

1959, Phentermine was first marketed as part of a combination obesity drug. next, 1980sResearchers have found that phentermine and fenfluramine (another appetite suppressant) have a synergistic effect when people take them together.

This means that the combined effect of them was greater than the sum of the two separate effects. At this time, the combination drug “Fenfen” became the mainstay of obesity treatment.

However, fenfen was strongly associated with pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease. Researchers have also found a link between fenfluramine alone and these two conditions.

As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned fenfluramine in 1997, but continues to allow short-term use of phentermine.

From time to time, doctors prescribe only phentermine. Alternatively, we are prescribing a combination drug containing the anticonvulsant topiramate. The chances of heart failure differ when taking phentermine alone and when taking concomitant medications.

Phentermine

Experts cannot rule out the association between phentermine alone and valvular heart disease. There were rare reports of conditions appearing in people who took it.

Combination of phentermine and topiramate

The combination of phentermine and topiramate gain Resting heart rate up to 20 beats / minute (bpm). This means that a person who normally has a resting heart rate of 75 bpm will have a resting heart rate of as much as 95 bpm.

Despite this adverse effect, the product label does not mention the risk of valvular heart disease, as it does with phentermine alone.

In addition, the combination of phentermine and topiramate can cause serious interactions with other medications that can affect the heart. For example, taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can cause serotonin syndrome. This is very dangerous.

People with cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of heart side effects and should not take phentermine. This includes:

Researchers cannot rule out the association between phentermine alone and pulmonary hypertension. This is rare, but often fatal. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, or swelling of your legs, you should stop taking phentermine.

Besides the possibility of pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease, phentermine poses the following health risks:

• It can impair your ability to engage in dangerous activities. You may not be able to operate the machine safely or drive a car.
• One can develop tolerance: This means that an individual may need more doses to get the same effect. It is not safe to exceed the recommended dose.
• It can lead to abuse and addiction: Phentermine poses these dangers because it is chemically associated with amphetamines.
• It interacts negatively with alcohol: Individuals should not drink alcoholic beverages when taking phentermine.
• It interacts negatively with certain medicines: When taking phentermine, do not take other weight loss products or SSRIs.

The FDA approves short-term use of phentermine, but older people say it needs more clinical trials on long-term safety for use for more than 6 months. 2014 survey.. There are few studies on the effects on the cardiovascular system after use for more than a year.

Below are some possible phentermine alternatives.

acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that involves inserting a thin needle into the acupuncture points of the body.

A 2018 review We evaluated 21 studies involving 1,389 participants on the value of acupuncture and moxibustion for obesity. The authors conclude that it is a safe and effective treatment, but longer-term research is needed.

Mediterranean diet

Doctors do not recommend a trendy diet to lose weight, as they are often unhealthy and unsustainable. However, a nutritious and balanced diet, such as a Mediterranean diet, can lead to long-term, sustainable weight loss.

The diet includes nutritious high fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. It also contains olive oil and greasy fish.

old Survey from 2010 We evaluated the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet in preventing obesity in 10,376 participants. The authors conclude that it may delay age-related weight gain. Diets are highly palatable and therefore more likely to be adhered to.

Other anti-obesity drugs

Besides phentermine, there are other anti-obesity drugs available.these are include:

• Orlistat (Xenical) that reduces fat absorption
• Naltrexone-Bupropion (Contrave), reduces appetite or promotes satiety
• Liraglutide (saxenda) or semaglutide (wegoby), mimics hormones that may regulate appetite
• Setmelanotide (Mcivree), which may reduce appetite, increase satiety, and increase metabolism

However, it is important to note that all of the above have side effects and risks, some of which can be serious. If a doctor thinks that an anti-obesity drug should be taken, he will prescribe the appropriate drug and dose.

Weight loss surgery

Body mass index for weight loss surgery 35 or more.. It promotes weight loss by making changes to a person’s digestive system. One of the common types of obesity surgery works by splitting the stomach and making the upper pouch smaller.

Some options are short-term Side effects And long-term risk. However, doctors may consider surgery if other weight-loss medications or diets do not give sufficient results. One needs to stick to a sustainable diet and exercise plan to maintain results.

A possible association between phentermine and heart failure arises from rare reports of valvular heart disease in people taking the drug. The drug can also cause pulmonary hypertension, which can be fatal.

Sometimes, instead of prescribing only phentermine, doctors prescribe a combination of phentermine and topiramate.This combination May increase Heart rate.

Do not take phentermine if a person has some type of cardiovascular disease. Also, before anyone takes phentermine, you should disclose to your doctor any other medications or supplements you are taking to ensure that there are no potential adverse interactions.