A link may exist between phentermine and heart failure. There are rare reports of valvular heart disease in people who have taken phentermine, and it may also cause pulmonary hypertension.
Valvular heart disease involves damage to one or more of the valves in the heart. These valves open and close to regulate blood flow.
Additionally, phentermine may cause another, equally serious, side effect: pulmonary hypertension. This is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
People with cardiovascular disease or conditions affecting the heart and lungs should not take phentermine.
This article discusses the association between phentermine and heart failure. It also examines who should not take the drug, other risks, and alternative help for obesity.
Phentermine is a brain and spinal cord stimulant medication. It can suppress a person’s appetite, making it popular as a weight loss drug.
This means their combined effect was greater than the sum of their two separate effects. At this time, the combination drug “fen-phen” became a mainstay of obesity treatment.
However, fen-phen had a strong link to pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease. Researchers also discovered a link between fenfluramine alone and these two conditions.
Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned fenfluramine in 1997, but it continues to allow the short-term use of phentermine.
Sometimes, doctors prescribe phentermine alone. Alternatively, they prescribe a combination drug containing topiramate, an antiseizure drug. The possibility of heart failure differs when taking phentermine alone and taking the combination drug.
Phentermine
Experts cannot rule out a link between phentermine alone and heart valve disease. There have been rare reports of the condition manifesting in people who took it.
Combination of phentermine and topiramate
The combination of phentermine and topiramate may
Despite this adverse effect, the product label does not mention a risk of heart valve disease, as in phentermine alone.
Additionally, the combination of phentermine and topiramate can cause serious interactions with other medications that can affect the heart. For example, when a person takes it with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication, it may cause serotonin syndrome. This can be very dangerous.
People with cardiovascular disease have a higher risk of heart side effects, so they should not take phentermine. This includes those with:
- congestive heart failure
- disease of the heart arteries
- stroke
- disorder in heart rhythm
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
Researchers cannot rule out an association between phentermine alone and pulmonary hypertension, a rare but often fatal condition. A person should stop taking phentermine if they develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, or swelling of the legs.
Other than the possibility of pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease, phentermine has the following health risks:
- It can impair the ability to engage in hazardous activities: A person may not be able to safely operate machinery or drive a motor vehicle.
- A person can develop a tolerance: This means an individual may require a larger dose to receive the same effect. It is unsafe to exceed the recommended dosage.
- It can lead to abuse and dependence: Since phentermine is chemically related to amphetamine, it poses these dangers.
- It negatively interacts with alcohol: Individuals should not consume alcoholic beverages when taking phentermine.
- It negatively interacts with certain drugs: People should not take other weight loss products or SSRIs when taking phentermine.
Although the FDA has approved phentermine for short-term use, more clinical trials regarding its long-term safety to use it for 6 months or longer are necessary, notes an older
Below are some possible phentermine alternatives.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that involves inserting thin needles onto pressure points of the body.
A
Mediterranean diet
Doctors do not advise going on fad diets to lose weight because they are often unhealthy and unsustainable. However, nutritious and balanced eating plans such as the Mediterranean diet can yield long-term, maintainable weight loss.
The diet includes nutrient-rich, high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. It also includes olive oil and fatty fish.
Older
Other anti-obesity medications
Aside from phentermine, there are other anti-obesity medications available. These
- orlistat (Xenical), which reduces fat absorption
- naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), which decreases appetite or promotes a feeling of fullness
- liraglutide (Saxenda) or semaglutide (Wegovy), which mimics a hormone that may regulate appetite
- setmelanotide (Mcivree), which may decrease appetite, boost the feeling of fullness, and increase metabolism
However, it is important to note that all of the above have side effects and risks, some of which can be serious. If a person’s doctor thinks they should take an anti-obesity medication, they will prescribe the appropriate medication and dose.
Weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery may be an option for people with a body mass index of
The options have short-term
The possible link between phentermine and heart failure stems from rare reports of valvular heart disease in people who took the drug. The medication also may cause pulmonary hypertension, which can be fatal.
Sometimes, instead of prescribing phentermine alone, doctors prescribe a medication that combines phentermine with topiramate. This combination
If a person has any type of cardiovascular disease, they should not take phentermine. Also, before someone takes phentermine, they should disclose to their doctor the other medications and supplements they take to be sure there is no potential for harmful interactions.