Phentermine, a type of medication known as an anorectic, is used to suppress appetite and to speed up weight loss. In general, phentermine interactions with certain drugs and medical conditions can affect a patient’s use of the medication. Drug interactions can have negative impacts and some drugs that do not interact well with phentermine include antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Interactions between drugs and medical conditions can also have negative effects, and so patients with certain medical conditions might not be able to use phentermine. These medical conditions include high blood pressure and hyper thyroidism.
Examples of negative effects caused by drug interactions are increased side effects and medical conditions. Using MAO inhibitors alongside phentermine, for instance, can result in serious side effects that can be life-threatening. When taking or having taken MAO inhibitors, it is important for a patient to wait two weeks before starting phentermine treatment because the body needs to be clear of MAO inhibitors first. Also, using antidepressants or MAO inhibitors at the same time as phentermine can cause a patient to experience high blood pressure due to high levels of serotonin.
Aside from antidepressants and MAO inhibitors, phentermine interactions occur with other drugs as well, including blood pressure medications, insulin and oral diabetes medications. In addition, using other diet medications while taking phentermine can have dangerous consequences, as it can cause a condition known as pulmonary hypertension. Also, before taking phentermine, a patient should disclose to his or her doctor any other medications he or she might be using, including herbal products or nutritional supplements. In the event of a phentermine interaction, or the suspicion of one, it is important to seek medical attention.
Phentermine interactions with certain medical conditions can determine whether or not it is safe for a patient to take the medication. Besides high blood pressure and hyper thyroidism, conditions that might react negatively to phentermine include coronary artery disease and diabetes. Also, phentermine interactions can occur with heart disease and glaucoma as well. In addition, pregnant women, and women who are nursing or plan to nurse, should consult with a doctor before using phentermine because there is little information regarding the effects phentermine might have on a fetus or baby. Those who are allergic to phentermine should not take the medication, no should those who have a history of drug abuse, as phentermine can be habit-forming.