Adult Dosing
Short-term treatment exogenous obesity
18 yrs
- Start with 25-50 mg PO qd with subsequent increase in individual dose or frequency according to response
- Usual dose range: 25-50 mg PO qd-tid
Notes:- With single daily dose, give mid-morning or mid-afternoon, according to the patient's food habits
- Use lowest effective dose; discontinue when tolerance occurs
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients <12 yrs of age have not been established
12-17 yrs
- Start with 25-50 mg PO qd with subsequent increase in individual dose or frequency according to response
- Usual dose range: 25-50 mg PO qd-tid
Notes:- With single daily dose, give mid-morning or mid-afternoon, according to the patient's food habits
- Use lowest effective dose; discontinue when 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 occasions of fatal pulmonary hypertension have occurred; 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 patient for the possible presence of pulmonary hypertension
- Valvular heart disease associated with the use of some anorectic agents have occurred; avoid use for extended periods of time, higher than recommended dose, and/or use in combination with other anorectic drugs
- Assess potential benefits to risk ratio before initiating treatment. Perform baseline cardiac evaluation to detect pre-existing valvular heart diseases or pulmonary hypertension prior to initiation of therapy. 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 for patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease including arrhythmia. Avoid use in patients who had 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
- Discontinue therapy on development of tolerance to the anorectic effect
- Alterations in insulin requirements in diabetes mellitus have occurred in association with the use of anorexigenic drugs and the concomitant dietary restrictions
- Psychological disturbances have occurred in patients receiving an anorectic agent together with a restrictive dietary regime
- Prescribe or dispense least amount feasible at one time to minimize the possibility of overdosage
Cautions: Use cautiously in:
- Anorexiant treatment within prior year
- Geriatric patients
- Heart murmur
- Valvular heart disease
- Arrhythmias
- Mild hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients to avoid engaging in potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery, as anorexiants may impair the abilities of the patient required to perform such activities
Pregnancy Category:X
Breastfeeding: Unsafe. Excreted in human breast milk. Manufacturer advises mothers to refrain from nursing
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Didrex 50 MG TABS [Bottle] (PFIZER U.S.)
10 mg = $34.87
20 mg = $53.38
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
