USES
This medication is used to reduce excess body weight
(obesity).
HOW
TO USE THIS MEDICATION
Take by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor,
usually once daily. The full effect on weight may
require four to six weeks. Do not increase your dose,
take it more frequently or use it for a longer period
of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming.
Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not
suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's
approval. Over time, this drug may not work as well
as it did at the beginning. Consult your doctor if
weight increases.
SIDE
EFFECTS
Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty
sleeping may occur. If these effects persist or worsen,
notify your doctor promptly.
PRECAUTIONS
Before using this drug, tell your doctor your entire
medical history, including any allergies (especially
drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood
pressure or heart disease, history of stroke or seizures,
certain eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa),
glaucoma (narrow angle), or history of gallstones.
Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side
effects of this medication. It is recommended that
women of child-bearing age should use effective birth
control while taking this medication. This drug is
not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult
your doctor before using this drug. It is not known
whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because
of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using this drug is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast-feeding. Elderly patients
may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
Use cautiously.
DRUG
INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medication you may use, especially other weight reducing
agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise
blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine,
phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan),
antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric
medications (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline,
moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine),
drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan),
tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g.,
meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl), ketoconazole,
erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine or any
drugs which can cause drowsiness, including certain
antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), sedatives
and anti-seizure drugs. Antihistamines and decongestants
may be found in many nonprescription drugs for cough
and cold. Consult your pharmacist. MAO Inhibitors
(see above) and this drug should not be taken together.
If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait
2 weeks before starting the other drug.
NOTES
Do not share this medication with others. This medication
should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet.
Blood pressure and pulse may be measured and laboratory
tests performed to monitor side effects.
MISSED
DOSE
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the
missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double- up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees
F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of
children.