Although the following information on weight loss pills was presented some years ago in the New York Times, the points made are still valid, especially with the current interest in phentermine as a weight loss pill.

"Weight Loss Pills - Allure and Risk: Fenfluramine and phentermine are old drugs, approved two decades ago as short-term diet aids for the obese. Doctors started combining them only recently, after a four-year study of 121 obese people indicated that the combination could succeed where diets alone failed.

Dr. Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Human Nutrition
at the University of Michigan, said that an overweight but not obese friend
of his had gone to a weight loss clinic near Atlanta looking for the weight loss pills but
that the doctor at the weight loss center had refused to prescribe fen-phen
for him. But there is no doubt that some clinics have prescribed these drugs as weight loss pills to huge numbers of people...

Weight Loss Pills In Advertising

The Internet is bristling with fen-phen weight loss pill advertisements, including one that rather mysteriously quotes L.D., San Diego" as saying, I lost 40 pounds in
six weeks on fen-phen and had to force myself to eat." The web page adds,
It was so easy," and promises to tell more for $5...

Dr. Hitzig, Dr. Krentzman and others say they have prescribed the drugs
to people with just a few pounds to lose. Dr. Hitzig's web page quotes a
patient saying that until taking fen-phen, no matter what I did, I could
never shed that last 15 pounds." Dr. Hitzig also said he prescribed the drugs
for people with eating disorders, who may not be overweight, as well as for
alcoholics, cocaine addicts and people complaining of gulf war syndrome.

Doctors at some medical centers say they are starting to examine fenphen
patients for heart valve problems. We've called all our patients who
were on it," said Dr. Albert Stunkard, an obesity researcher at the University
of Pennsylvania who said that the university's obesity center had prescribed
the drugs for 20 patients.

But some doctors who enthusiastically prescribe the drugs say they are
not worried. It's stupid to bring patients in for an echocardiogram," Dr.
Krentzman said. That's a very expensive procedure." The risk is not established,
he said, adding that none of his patients had experienced problems
with the drugs (weight loss pills).

Dr. Hitzig said he simply modified the dose of the medications (weight loss pills) if people start to have problems, thereby preventing serious ill effects. Every side
effect I've seen, to my current state of knowledge, is an indicator to modify
the dose," he said. When it comes to serious problems, he said, we abort
them before they happen."

Full text of Weight Loss Pills - Allure & Risk:
http://www.nytimes.com/specials/women/warchive/970716_1571.html

Phentermine Directions For Use

Chemical Name: PHENTERMINE (FEN-ter-meen)

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant used along with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity.

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Phentermine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.

Store Phentermine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

Do not use Phentermine if you are also taking guanadrel, guanethidine, furazolidone, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Use of Phentermine as a weight loss pill is not recommended if you have a history of heart conditions, brain or spinal cord disorders, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Phentermine.

Follow the directions for using Phentermine provided by your doctor. Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.

Take your dose in the morning before breakfast or 2 hours after breakfast as directed by your doctor. Be sure you take your dose at least 10 to 14 hours before bedtime. If you miss a dose of Phentermine, take it as soon as possible. If it is after noon, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Do not exceed the recommended dose or take Phentermine as a weight loss pill for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking Phentermine for longer than prescribed may cause serious side effects.

Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using Phentermine. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Phentermine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or sugery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Phentermine.

For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Phentermine during pregnancy. It is unknown if Phentermine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Phentermine.

Side effects that may occur while taking Phentermine as a weight loss pill. These include restlessness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, or dry mouth. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomch cramps.

Do not share Phentermine as a weight loss pill with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use Phentermine for other health conditions. Keep Phentermine out of the reach of children.