Definition: An anorectic drug is an appetite suppressant. The term appears on the labels of older weight-loss pills such as phentermine (Lomaira), diethylpropion and phendimetrazine. Their labels say they are related to amphetamine, and approve them only as a short-term add-on to diet and exercise.
The Lomaira label says people taking anorectic drugs with a diet in short trials lost more weight on average than people on placebo and diet, but the extra loss was only a fraction of a pound a week. Lomaira is approved for a few weeks of use.
The diethylpropion and phendimetrazine labels cite a case-control study in which use of anorectic drugs for longer than 3 months was linked to a 23-fold increase in the risk of pulmonary hypertension, high pressure in the lungs.
| Product | Schedule printed on the label |
|---|---|
| Lomaira (phentermine) | CIV |
| Diethylpropion tablets | CIV |
| Phendimetrazine tablets | CIII |
Each label says the drug is related to amphetamine and is a controlled substance. Lomaira is not used by people with a known allergy or unusual reaction to sympathomimetic amines.
Because the labels limit these drugs to short-term use, the start date matters. A log of each dose, your weight and any new shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling of the legs gives your prescriber the timeline to review.
Read more on Dose Track: Lomaira side effects · Diethylpropion side effects · Phendimetrazine side effects · Lomaira vs Qsymia