Phentermine is a weight loss medication that is only available with a doctor’s prescription. This medication belongs to a special class of drugs called anorectics, also known as appetite suppressants. So by decreasing the appetite one is bound to reduce the amount of calories consumed, thus supporting your weight loss goals. But as you ought to know, the weight loss journey must be sustainable. Rome isn’t built in a day and neither is efficient results. So take this medication in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.
There are many more details to this appetite-suppressing drugs that you should be aware of. So we will see more about them in the coming sections. Without further ado let us dive right into it.
What is Phentermine Used For?
Phentermine is a drug that is known for its powerful weight-loss properties. It supports weight loss by increasing the flow of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine which helps with decreasing the appetite and making you feel satiated. This prescription medication was approved by the FDA in the year 1959 as a short-term medication that can be used for 12 weeks by people above the age of 16.
This powerful weight loss medication is said to be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle to harness the best results. The appetite-suppressing property of this medication when combined with a calorie deficit diet and regular physical workouts will help improve the weight loss results and your well being too. This medication is usually taken before breakfast or after 2 hours of eating your breakfast. The doses commonly range from 15mg to 13.75mg.
How Long Does Phentermine Stay in Your System?
That actually varies depending on the person taking this medication. However, on average the half-life of this medication is calculated to be at 19 to 24 hours. Half-life indicates the time taken for half of the drugs to be metabolized. Even if this is the case, phentermine can stay detectable in your body for around 4 to 6 days after taking your last dose. As mentioned before there are many factors to it like the dosage, metabolism of the individual, and duration as well.
This prescription medication’s presence can be detected through your saliva, urine blood and even through hair follicles. Phentermine can be detected in your urine even after 3 to 4 days from the last date of consumption. This medication can be detected in the bloodstream for up to 48 hours. Phentermine is detectable in your saliva for around 24 to 48 days. It remains detectable for the longest in hair follicles which is said to be around 90 days. Again this may vary due to various individual factors.
Does Phentermine Build Up in Your System?
Yes, it does. This weight loss drug does build up in your system causing a “steady state” around 3 to 5 days of regular consumption. What this means is, that after taking this medication consistently, it reaches a certain point where the level of drugs in the bloodstream stabilizes.
There are some major points that you should know about when it comes to drug buildup in your system. They are half-life of the drugs and steady state. The half-life is the time required for metabolizing half the drug. And for phentermine, it takes up to 19 to 24 hours. So for buildup to happen, it may take a few days. During the steady state, your body is getting used to the drug but you may not see the potential results yet. The time taken to reach the steady state varies from user to user and it is observed that people with faster metabolism and those who lead a very active lifestyle are the ones who see faster buildup. Now buildup is a necessary aspect and it is vital to see the actual course of action of this drug.
How is Phentermine Tested?
Phentermine is tested with the help of lab analysis of bodily fluids like blood, urine, or plasma. The most common and precise test is Liquid Chromatography/ Tandem Mass Spectrometry: This technique is used for urine and blood samples. This is one of the most accurate tests due to its high sensitivity and can detect phentermine at very low concentrations of around 2 ng/ml. The sample preparation takes a dilute and shoots approach where a small volume of urine is diluted and fed into the system and sent for analysis. For testing blood samples using this liquid chromatography, 5 ml of blood sample might be required. Specific tubes are required for plasma and serum.
Phentermine can show up on drug tests. Especially the 10-panel drug test which can cause false positives for amphetamines due to their chemical similarity. The standard drug panel tests do not show phentermine, but it is detectable in the urine tests for up to 4 days of drug usage. So if you have to undergo regular drug tests then it is better to inform the testing entities prior to avoid any confusion.
Phentermine And Surgery
Phentermine and surgery are not a good idea together due to several risks that they pose. Phentermine use during surgery may cause complications like low blood pressure, hypertension, hypoglycemia, bradycardia, cardiac depression and pulmonary edema as well.
With so many adverse effects that this can potentially cause, doctors often advise stopping the consumption of this drug a minimum of four days prior to the surgery. These four days’ marks may help with reducing the risk of interaction with anesthesia and clear the drugs from your system. Usually, close monitoring of an anesthesiologist is also asked for on patients who have been taking phentermine to avoid these complications and to keep track of all the essential markers.
Conclusion
Phentermine is a prescription weight loss drug that is said to deliver fruitful results when used along with a healthy lifestyle. This is a safe drug when used as per the advice of your medical practitioner, but abusing it may cause serious complications. These drugs can be detected with some laboratory analysis and the process is not that complicated. Ensure that you are taking the drugs and adhering to the instructions of your doctor to avoid any side effects.
FAQ’s
It is almost impossible to flush out phentermine entirely from your system within 24 hours. However, you can improve your water intake, incorporate a healthy diet, and engage in physical activity to help with the elimination process. Avoiding alcohol and other depressants is also recommended as they slow down the metabolism.
Even though this medication is considered generally safe it is not without some complications of side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, disrupted sleep patterns, increased heart rate, and chest pain.
Elimination time can vary from person to person. However, generally the half-life is about 19 to 24 hours. This medication is detectable in your body for up to 4 days.
You have to consult with your doctor before stopping this medication. There might be withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, increased appetite, brain fog, cravings, and even weight gain.
Phentermine is safe when consumed as per the directions of your medical advisor. However, abusing this medication may cause some serious side effects. Phentermine might not be a suitable option for people with heart diseases, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or glaucoma. This medication is not recommended for expecting and nursing mothers as well.
References
- Smith SM, Meyer M, Trinkley KE. Phentermine/topiramate for the treatment of obesity. Ann Pharmacother. 2013 Mar;47(3):340-9. [PubMed]
- Garvey WT, Ryan DH, Look M, Gadde KM, Allison DB, Peterson CA, Schwiers M, Day WW, Bowden CH. Two-year sustained weight loss and metabolic benefits with controlled-release phentermine/topiramate in obese and overweight adults (SEQUEL): a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 extension study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:297–308. [PMC free article]
