BenzphetamineOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Benzphetamine images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Benzphetamine

Uses
Benzphetamine is used along with a doctor-approved, reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and behavior change program to help you lose weight. It is used in people who are significantly overweight (obese) and have not been able to lose enough weight with diet and exercise alone. Losing weight and keeping it off can reduce the many health risks that come with obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shorter life.It is not known how this medication helps people to lose weight. It may work by decreasing your appetite, increasing the amount of energy used by your body, or by affecting certain parts of the brain. This medication is an appetite suppressant and belongs to a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines.
Notes

Appetite suppressants should not be used in place of proper diet.
For best results, this drug must be used along with a doctor-approved diet and exercise program.Do not share this medication with others.
It is against the law.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, heart tests, kidney tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: rapid breathing, unusual restlessness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, chest pain, hallucinations, seizures, loss of consciousness.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth, usually 1-3 times a day as directed by your doctor.
Taking this medication late in the day may cause trouble sleeping (insomnia).The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Your doctor will adjust the dose to find the best dose for you.
Use this medication regularly and exactly as prescribed in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.Benzphetamine is usually taken for only a few weeks at a time.
It should not be taken with other appetite suppressants (see also Drug Interactions section).
The possibility of serious side effects increases with longer use of this medication and use of this drug along with certain other diet drugs.This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses.
In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., depression, severe tiredness) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug.
To prevent withdrawal when stopping extended/regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.Rarely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication.
Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.
Properly stop the medication when so directed.This medication may stop working well after you have been taking it for a while.
Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Do not increase the dose unless directed by your doctor.
Your doctor may direct you to stop taking this medication.

Side Effects

Dizziness, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, irritability, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, uncontrolled anger, hallucinations, nervousness), uncontrolled muscle movements, change in sexual ability/interest.Stop taking this medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe headache, slurred speech, seizure, weakness on one side of the body, vision changes (e.g., blurred vision).This drug may infrequently cause serious (sometimes fatal) lung or heart problems (pulmonary hypertension, heart valve problems).
The risk increases with longer use of this medication and use of this drug along with other appetite-suppressant drugs/herbal products.
If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking this medication and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: chest pain, difficulty breathing with exercise, decreased ability to exercise, fainting, swelling of the legs/ankles/feet.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking benzphetamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other sympathomimetic amines (e.g., decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, stimulants such as amphetamine, appetite suppressants such as phentermine); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using benzphetamine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, glaucoma, history of alcohol/drug abuse, vascular heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart attack), mental/mood problems (e.g., severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia), high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), stroke, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, controlled high blood pressure, other heart problems (e.g., heart murmur, fast/irregular heartbeat, heart valve problems), kidney disease, seizure problem.This drug may make you dizzy or (rarely) drowsy or cause blurred vision.
Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness and clear vision such as driving or using machinery.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.Kidney function declines as you grow older.
This medication is removed by the kidneys.
Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for dizziness and high blood pressure while using this drug.Benzphetamine must not be used during pregnancy.
It may harm an unborn baby.
If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for a long time or in high doses may have withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or extreme tiredness.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose or late in the evening, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with certain medications because very serious interactions may occur.
If you are taking or have taken other appetite-suppressant drugs in the past year (e.g., phentermine, sibutramine, ephedra/ma huang), tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with benzphetamine.
In some cases a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction may occur.If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: drugs for depression (e.g., TCAs such as imipramine, SSRIs and SNRIs such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, duloxetine), drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas such as glipizide), drugs that affect the acid level of urine (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), high blood pressure medicine (e.g., guanethidine, methyldopa), phenothiazines (e.g., prochlorperazine, promethazine, chlorpromazine), other stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, methylphenidate, street drugs such as cocaine or MDMA/"ecstasy").Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause dizziness or drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk when combined with this medication such as isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others.Check the labels on all your medicines/herbal products (e.g., cough-and-cold products containing decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, diet aids such as phenylpropanolamine, ephedra/ma huang) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication.
Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.