According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, Phentermine is used, in combination with diet and exercise, to aide in weight loss. It is prescribed by a physician and works by decreasing your appetite. This is an amphetamine and can become habit forming.

It is particularly important to note and discuss with your doctor the complications that could arise when taking this medication in combination with the following:

fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), guanethidine, insulin, MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate)] , paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and vitamins.

One would think this unnecessary, a doctor would not already know what medications their patient was taking right? Wrong. I had one too many experiences with my parents where their doctor did not have a complete list of the current prescribed meds, no kidding. Bring a list just to be safe.

Now, Phentermine should not be confused with Phentirmene. Evidently, the latter is an over the counter weight loss aide asserting “no side effects” and “no dependency”. Supposedly, phenylethylamine (PEA) is the active ingredient found in Phentirmene. And get this, PEA is tagged as an amphetamine-like substance, has a euphoric effect, and it can be found in chocolate too!  Oh man, are the slandering my beloved snack, chocolate?? Sounded way too fishy so I hit Google to find something reputable and redeem my chocolate!

According to Elaine Magee, MPH, RD who writes the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Expert Column, “In the early 1980s, researchers thought they had solved the mystery of our love affair with chocolate. They detected the chemical phenyl ethylamine (PEA) in chocolate. PEA is a central nervous system stimulant, usually present in the human brain, which is thought to help arouse emotions. But, the human body actually absorbs very little PEA from chocolate — not enough to affect our emotions, anyway. So, it seems the sexiest thing about chocolate is its taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture — which, in my estimation, is not too shabby!“

Diet and exercise are the only weight loss combination I feel good about, I’m just sayin’.  In any case, when embarking on a weight loss program it is always best to seek professional medical advice in advance.

Are you buying into these phentermine or phentirmene diet miracles ?