Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Diet Pill For Fast Weight Loss

Question:
My dad was put on Paxil in 1998 and unfortunately got the side effect of an increased appetite. Over the last 4 or so years he has gone from about 200 lbs. to, must be about 350 lbs. He is so large he weezes all the time and can barely move. He lost a lot of weight in 1990 along with my mother, he weighed 172 lbs. at his lowest weight. He feels very bad about this. He went to his dr. last week and the dr. lowered his Paxil and put him on a diet pill called Fastin. He takes one a day and it takes his appetite COMPLETELY away. He couldn't eat if he wanted to. My question is, has anyone ever heard of this diet pill? Is it safe, because it sure seems to be strong to me, to take someone's appetite away like that. I know not eating at all is NOT a good WOE. If anyone knows anything, let me know. Thanks very much.

Answer:
Fastin is a sustained-release type of phentermine hydrochloride. I've been taking a different type of phentermine (Adipex-P, which is an immediate release pill) for the last 5 1/2 years with no ill effects. Generally the extreme anorexia only lasts a few weeks, and after that time there is a gentle effect that persists. However, most doctors who prescribe these drugs don't understand them all that well. Anorectic drugs should always be prescribed in the *least effective dose* which means there was no need to start your dad out on the 30 mg capsule if the 15 mg capsule will do. Phentermine is a stimulant that increases available norepinephrine in the brain. It has little or no effect on dopamine, which is why the abuse potential is extremely low. It is classified under Schedule 4 of the DEA Schedule of Controlled Substances. However, other drugs that work on norepinephrine, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, are not scheduled. Phentermine is not significantly more potent than these, but weight loss drugs that have an effect on brain neurotransmitters are always scheduled by the DEA. It's more politics than substance. If your dad is having other side effects, other than the anorexia, or his appetite doesn't return some after a few weeks, the doctor should lower his dosage. Your father can incorporate phentermine into a weight loss program. However, if he doesn't exercise and learn how to eat healthy, after a while, the phentermine will not do it by itself. So your dad needs to take this time to improve those areas. I wish him good luck. I lost and have maintained an 86 pound weight loss for over 4 years with the help of phentermine. BTW, I only take 18.75 mg (I snap the Adipex-P in half) even after all these years. A whole pill makes me jittery.