Adult Dosing
Exogenous Obesity
Extended-release capsule
- 1 capsule (105 mg) PO, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
Immediate release
- 17.5-35 mg PO bid or tid 1 hr before meal
- Max: 70 mg PO tid
Notes:- Do not cut, crush, or chew the capsule
- Use lowest effective dose to obtain an adequate response; discontinue the drug if tolerance occurs
Pediatric Dosing
- Not recommended in pediatric patients <12 yrs of age
Exogenous Obesity (children >12 yrs of age)
Extended-release capsule
- 1 capsule (105 mg) PO, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
Immediate release
- 17.5-35 mg PO bid or tid 1 hr before meal
- Max: 70 mg PO tid
Notes:- Do not cut, crush, or chew the capsule
- Use lowest effective dose to obtain an adequate response; discontinue the drug if tolerance occurs
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Avoid use in combination with other anorectic agents, including prescribed drugs, over-the-counter preparations, and herbal products
- Rare cases of fatal pulmonary hypertension have been reported during therapy; this risk may increase with the use of anorectic agents for more than 3 months and with repeated courses of therapy; immediately discontinue therapy and evaluate the patient for the possible presence of pulmonary hypertension
- Valvular heart disease associated with the use of some anorectic agents has been reported; avoid using for extended periods of time, higher than recommended dose, and/or in combination with other anorectic drugs
- Carefully assess the potential benefits and risks of the drug before initiating treatment. Perform baseline cardiac evaluation to detect preexisting valvular heart diseases or pulmonary hypertension prior to therapy initiation. Perform echocardiogram during and after treatment for detecting any valvular disorders
- Avoid use in patients with known heart murmur, valvular heart disease, severely hypertensive patients or in patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease including CAD, CHF, stroke, arrhythmias. Avoid use in patients who used any anorectic agents within the prior year
- To limit undue exposure and risks, continue treatment only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment
- Abrupt cessation of therapy following prolonged high dosage may result in extreme fatigue and depression
- Therapy may impair the ability of the patient to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery
- Therapy may decrease the hypotensive effect of guanethidine; prescribe the least amount feasible at one time to minimize the possibility of overdosage
- Use of therapy within 14 days following the administration of MAOIs may cause hypertensive crisis
- Discontinue therapy on development of tolerance to the anorectic effect
- Alterations in insulin requirements in patients with diabetes mellitus may occur in association with therapy use and the concomitant dietary regimen
Cautions: Use cautiously in:
- Mild hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Geriatric patients
Supplemental Patient Information
- Caution patients to refrain from driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery during therapy, as it may impair the ability of the patient to perform potentially hazardous activities
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this drug is excreted in human milk. Manufacturer advises mothers to refrain from breastfeeding unless, in the judgment of the physician, the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
phendimetrazine tartrate (generic)
Bontril (generic)
Bontril PDM (generic)
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
[Outline]