phentermine discontinue asked
What is the best way to stop taking phentermine? Are there withdrawal symptoms?
Answer
Phentermine (brand name Adipex-P) is a stimulant medication, most commonly used for the treatment of obesity. It is similar in chemical structure and has similar effects to amphetamine.
While many sources recommend tapering amphetamine medications to prevent withdrawal, most studies of phentermine suggest that discontinuing the drug is not associated with withdrawal symptoms.
One study concluded the following:
"Phentermine abuse or psychological dependence (addiction) does not occur in patients treated with phentermine for obesity. Phentermine treatment does not induce phentermine drug craving, a hallmark sign of addiction. Amphetamine-like withdrawal does not occur upon abrupt treatment cessation even at doses much higher than commonly recommended and after treatment durations of up to 21 years."
Another study had a similar conclusion:
Nevertheless, the prescribing information for phentermine does warn of possible withdrawal symptoms, but is mostly based on the fact that phentermine has amphetamine like characteristics. According to the prescribing information, possible withdrawal symptoms include:"Abrupt cessation of long-term phentermine therapy does not induce amphetamine-like withdrawal. Long-term phentermine therapy does not induce phentermine cravings. Symptoms observed after abrupt phentermine cessation represent loss of therapeutic effect and are not withdrawal."
- Extreme fatigue
- Mental depression
- Changes in sleep pattern
- Irritability
If you are concerned about the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, be sure to speak with your doctor regarding a strategy to discontinue the medication. They may suggest slowly reducing your dose on a week by week basis and assessing your condition. As mentioned above however, most studies find that phentermine is relatively easy to discontinue and doesn't produce pronounced withdrawal symptoms.
