[calimoonchild]

I've read from a few places that taking Phentermine for longer than the prescribed 2 months causes serious health problems. I read about a condition called (i think) primary pulmonary hyptertension? Can any of you tell me more about this, and if it is true? Have any of you experienced this or researched it?

I've been taking Phentermine off and on for about 3 yrs.

[susanpesek]

Hi, Cali and welcome to PhenForum. Most doctors prescribe phentermine for 8-12 weeks and I was on it myself, safely, for a full 16 weeks. The old combination used several years ago (phen-fen) caused possible heart problems and that is why it was pulled from the market. Phentermine was one part of that combo that is not at all unhealthy alone and if you take it only as long as prescribed and that you do not take more than you should.
I don't see many negatives here!

[rebeleagle1965]

Hi Calimoonchild! Welcome from me, too. This is a great place for info and support.
According to wikipedia (and other sources, but that's a good place for the interested to start), the reason that phen is prescribed for 8-12 weeks is due to the idea that we develop a resistance or tolerance to it, and that it may become less effective after that. Newer research disputes that claim, but that's getting into a whole other issue.
I have not read any research that states there are dangers of serious health problems from long term use. That does not mean that it could not cause a problem, or that the research does exist and I've just missed it, so don't get me wrong-but it was my understanding that some people DO have negative effects from it, just like any other medication, but that those are experienced from the beginning....not something that develops later. Phentermine is relatively safe as far as track records for prescription drugs go-just as Susan pointed out-as long is it is not taken in unsafe dosages or combinations.
That being said-to be totally unbiased, I feel like I have to for the purpose not condoning something unhealthy hop on the other side of the fence for a minute. Don't take this personally calimoon-you didn't say you've taken it for 3 years straight, so I'm not preaching to ya hon-just posting about long term use in general......
My concern here is this-even if there are NO ill effects from the long term use of a weight loss aid, we still don't need to use it for years at a stretch. If we do, two bad things will happen....
We will be using a pharmaceutical drug for recreational purposes. If, after many years using it, we still have not lost a satisfactory amount of weight, then why keep taking it? The amphetamine-like side effects? That would be developing a habit, not using it for the intended purpose. Not safe-no matter what med it is.
We will also not be giving ourselves the tools that are necessary to maintain health, which will basically create a mental dependence on the medication, or the need to have a crutch of some kind to avoid gaining the weight back. I love the idea of having some help with losing weight-something that so many of us struggle to do on our own. But there has to come a day when we are "healed" enough to walk on our own two feet again, so to speak.

[thewomanwithin67]

I have read articles that the reason Phen is not considered a "long term" weight loss aid is because it has been around for 50+ years and does not have the funding like Xenical and Meridia does since they are newer drugs.

You can google Phen and look it up on the FDA sites; there has been alot of studies done in Universities just not alot funded by the Govt. for long term use.

I was very interested in this also since I knew I would need something past the initial 3 months. Dr said 3 months on, 10 days off then repeast as long as I had no complications.

Anyone done the Xen-Phen combo? I've been reading alot about it after someone else started it and was going to ask my dr about it when I go back in March. Susan's post above reminded me about this

[goodmockingbird]

The material I've been reading is generally cynical at best about Xenical.

The most it can apparently do is prevent the body from absorbing about 1/3 of the fat calories consumed. It then causes the body to excrete this fat in the form of an oily substance by way of the bowels. This apparently does not happen at the preferred times in the privacy of one's bathroom, but can make a sudden appearance at any time.

This sort of embarrassing unpleasantness then forces the patient to learn to consume very little fats or oils to avoid the results.

Sure, the idea of a medication absorbing 1/3 of the fats and oils one eats sounds good -- but it seems like a rather unsatisfactory way to "teach" someone not to eat them in the first place.

The body is still able to absorb 2/3 of the fats and oils consumed while on Xenical, and it does not do anything to prevent carbohydrates (or proteins) from being digested.

Even if someone ate a very high calorie high fat diet it would only do "some" good. For example, if someone ate the very bad diet of 3,000 calories, and 50% of those were fat calories, then Xenical would only be blocking 500 calories. (3,000 x 50% = 1,500, then 1/3 of 1,500 = 500)

But if one has the problem of bowel leakage, one is much less likely to go out and walk or do other excercise, and would really have a depressing effect on how one feels about herself. It doesn't take much in the way of excersise to burn off 500 calories.

From what I have read, Xenical is most effective for people who have physical limitations which prevent them from getting out very much, and who have 100+ lbs to lose.

This is only from what I've read about it, and it of course does not apply to everyone, but is based on various doctors' and patients' experiences.

[calimoonchild]

Thanks so much for your input and responses! Rebeleagle, I've been on it offand on for 3 years, in 6 wk cycles. So I've mostly been OFF it for the duration, but I'm just concerned that those cycles are going to turn out to be bad for me. :(

Do any of you know which portion of the Fen-Phen combo was thought to be responsible for the heart/lung conditions? Has Phentermine been established as being safe? Can anyone give me links to some articles?

Sorry to be so negative.. I'm just scared/worried about this information and I understand the condition(s) are hard to diagnose. I just wish I could find some solid information about the long-term effects of phentermine specifically, and I am yet to find it.

[squeekie]

The fenfluramine was considered the culprit. Some people developed heart valve irregularities.It was taken of the market,I think,around 1998.

[greeneyedsista]

calimoonchild: My doctor is going keep me on it until I reach my goal weight, and that will take months, probably a year. He has had patients lose over 200 lbs over a 2yr period on Phen. I think if the extra weight is a greater hazard than the meds then it's ok to be on it for a longer period of time. Of course this is under a doctor's care. I would not make that decision on my own. I need to lose a lot of weight, though my doctor and I disagree on what my GW should be. He's shooting for 170 lbs since I'm 5'8" and I am shooting for 135 lbs. I actually have borderline high blood pressure and Phen can raise your blood pressure. That is my biggest concern (and my doctor's) with long term use. The Phen is screwing with my blood pressure as it's slightly elevated to begin with and with my weight loss it should have dropped my pressure some, but the Phen is keeping it up at 132/92. He may have to give me pressure pills too until I'm off the Phen. I go every 2 weeks for this reason alone. I think the safety and efficacy of long term use depends on the person and their doctor's assessment. For those that order their Phen on their own they should be especially careful. If I didn't know I had borderline high blood pressure and got the Phen on my own, I could have potentially endangered myself.