[mmcnatt]

I also posted this in my journal.


What my doctor said during my appt... she had heard that she could only legally prescribe Phentermine to one patient 3 times a year. Basically someone told her this. She is not my regular doc she is his PA b/c he was at the hossy. I told her that from my research I knew I could only take it 8 to 12 weeks then off for a month. I told her about my great support group here and said I would try to find out. She trusts me to find this out. I just don't know where to look. The thing that bothers me about this is that Phentermine is no different then any other highly addictive narcotic. If they allow someone to refill Oxycotin everymonth then why would Phentermine be any different as long as it is coming from and monitored by a doctor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[msmartini]

Hi Mandy! Honestly? I have no idea!!

My doctor initially said she would prescribe phen for 3 consecutive months and then I'd have to take a month off and then she would allow another 3 months. I'd have to come in for the new prescription each and every month. So I should be off this month... but when I went last week, she gave me another prescription... that I took and filled. The pharmacy didn't say anything about my 4th month in a row... go figure! So my guess is it's not a so-called law.

I don't know if there is anything written in stone. It seems most doctors have different thoughts. Just looking here, I have yet to see 2 doctors prescribe Phen the same way.

Sorry I couldn't be much help. I hope you find a fairly definitive answer!

[susanpesek]

"Research indicates that up to one third of the disciplinary actions taken by Medical Boards are related to misprescribing practices. Common problematic behaviors include inappropriately dispensing controlled substances from office practices, prescribing overly large doses or quantities of drugs to individual patients, prescribing at too-frequent intervals, and/or failing to document completely (or at all) the rationale for treatment. Misprescribing also includes writing scripts for family members, friends, or known drug addicts (before other forms of therapy have been tried). "

[punkynn]

My doctor has had me on phentermine since July 2007 and has prescribed them each month and the nurse assisting him has told me that as long as I am losing and he feels that I fall in the area where my weight is an issue and I am in good health that I will be allowed to stay on them. Some doctors feel that being over weight is more of a problem than the side effects of the meds. I have been doing pretty well on them. I slowed down in the past month but have picked up my exercise and here lately broke through that plateau.