Tenuate

Tenuate

Tenuate

What is Tenuate?

Tenuate is used along with diet and exercise to treat obesity in people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kilograms per square meter.

Tenuate is usually given after diet and exercise attempts have failed.

Warnings

You should not take Tenuate if you are restless or have a history of pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, severe high blood pressure, or drug abuse.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Do not take Tenuate with other diet pills unless your doctor recommends it.

Tenuate may cause blurred vision and affect your thinking or reactions. Diethylpropion can also cause feelings of restlessness, which can mask symptoms of extreme fatigue. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires your attention and clear vision.

Tenuate can be habit-forming and should only be used by the person to whom it is prescribed. Keep this medicine in a safe place where others cannot reach it.

Do not suddenly stop using Tenuate after long-term use, otherwise you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication.

Before you take this medicine

Do not use Tenuate if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Dangerous drug interactions could occur. MAOIs include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You should not use Tenuate if you are allergic to diethylpropion or if you have:

• pulmonary hypertension;

• severe coronary heart disease;

• severe hypertension;

• an overactive thyroid;

• a history of substance abuse;

• Glaucoma; or

• when you are in an excited state.

Do not take Tenuate with other diet pills unless your doctor recommends it. Taking diethylpropion in combination with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can cause a rare fatal lung disease called pulmonary hypertension.

To make sure Tenuate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• high blood pressure;

• a heart valve disease or cardiac arrhythmia;

• seizures or epilepsy; or

• if you have taken other diet pills in the last 12 months.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby.If you use Tenuate during pregnancy, your baby could become dependent on the medication.This can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Diethylpropion may pass into breast milk and may affect the breast-fed baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Tenuate is not approved for use by anyone under 16 years of age.

How should I take Tenuate?

Take Tenuate exactly as directed. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Diethylpropion can be habit forming.Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.Store the medication in a place where others cannot reach it. Selling or giving away this medicine is unlawful.

Tenuate immediate-release tablet is usually taken three times daily before meals.

The Tenuate Dospan extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily in the morning.

Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the drug along with a low-calorie diet for 4 weeks.

Do not crush, chew or breakextended publicationTablet. Swallow it whole.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon in advance that you are using Tenuate. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not suddenly stop using Tenuate after long-term use, otherwise you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and heat.

Keep track of your medications. Diethylpropion is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if someone takes your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, panic, aggression, or seizures.

What to avoid

This medicine may affect your thinking or reactions. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires your attention.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine may cause side effects.

Mitigate side effects

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction to Tenuate: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• chest pain, shortness of breath (especially with exertion);

• swelling in your ankles or feet;

• fear, nervousness or nervousness;

• muscle twitching;

• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;

• fast or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in the chest; or

• a dizzy feeling, like you might faint.

Common side effects of Tenuate may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, constipation;

• headache, blurred vision;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;

• depressed mood;

• dry mouth, unpleasant taste in mouth;

• decreased sex drive; or

• Redness, bruising, or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosage information

Usual adult dosage for obesity:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25 mg orally three times daily, 1 hour before meals and, if desired, in the evening to satisfy nighttime hunger.

CONTROLLED RELEASE: 75 mg orally once daily in the morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Only suitable for monotherapy.
-Treatment should only be continued if the patient experiences satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops. Do not exceed the recommended dose to increase the effect.

Application: Treatment of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) to a weight loss regimen based on calorie restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more who have not responded to an appropriate weight loss regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Over 16 years old:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25 mg orally three times daily, 1 hour before meals and, if desired, in the evening to satisfy nighttime hunger.

CONTROLLED RELEASE: 75 mg orally once daily in the morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Only suitable for monotherapy.
-Treatment should only be continued if the patient experiences satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops. Do not exceed the recommended dose to increase the effect.

Application: Treatment of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) to a weight loss regimen based on calorie restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more who have not responded to an appropriate weight loss regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

What other drugs will affect Tenuate?

Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking and any medications you are taking or stopping, especially:

• insulin or oral diabetes medications;

• blood pressure medications; or

• Medicines for the treatment of mental illnesses.

This list is not complete. Other medications may interact with diethylpropion, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and only use Tenuate for the prescribed indication.