Phentermine
Phentermine has its most significant effects on the central nervous system (CNS), the cardiovascular system and the muscles in your body. It is one of a class of drugs including amphetamines and Phenethylamine. These drugs act on the CNS to stimulate neurons to release or maintain high levels of catecholamines, a group of neurotransmitters including dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine. If the levels of catecholamines are raised, this suppresses the hunger signals sent by your body's metabolic system to your brain. Naturally, this reduces your appetite and you feel less need to eat. There are three main theories as to how Phentermine works:
1. Adrenaline is one of the neurotransmitters that triggers the fight-or-flight response when you think you are in danger. To ensure you realise the urgency of the situation, the hunger signal is diminished. This ensures that you are not distracted by the idea of staying around to eat and are ready to run away if the need arises.
2. By indirectly affecting the leptin levels in the brain. Leptin is a protein hormone, a part of the body's system for regulating the metabolism. It sets the rate at which energy is taken in and expended. It is therefore critical to the increase or decrease of appetite. If Phentermine raises the level of leptin, the brain will tell you that your stomach is full. This means that you already have enough fuel to meet the expected demand for energy and do not need to eat more.
3. By inhibiting the action of Neuropeptide Y. When this peptide detects a fall in the energy stored in body fat, it signals that you should decrease energy use by resting, suggests you should eat, and tries to increase fat storage. So, by stopping the action of this peptide, your body is tricked into burning some of the stored fat as energy.
Phentermine is used in the treatment and management of the problems of overweight and obesity. It is only used as a short term (never more than twelve weeks at a time) support to a general program of weight reduction based on net calorie loss diets and light exercise. There are three linked reasons for the shortness of each period for taking Phentermine.
1. There is clear clinical evidence of what is called tachyphylaxis. As your body builds up tolerance for the drug, it loses its effectiveness. Although Phentermine is initially very effective, you must fall fall into the trap of increasing the dosage as time passes and it seems to become less effective. This is actually counterproductive and dangerous because the more Phentermine you take:
2. the greater the risk of experiencing the adverse side effects, and
3. the greater the risk of becoming dependent on the drug and facing the problem of withdrawal symptoms when you want to stop.
When not to use Phentermine
No matter how determined you are to make your diet a success, you should not continue the use of Phentermine if you have any allergic reaction to Phentermine itself or an allied medication such as pseudoephedrine. Over time, the allergic reactions will be more dangerous than the weight loss benefits. Similarly, you should tell your physician if you have any other allergies to foods, pollens, animals, etc.
Unless you have the approval of your physician, you should not start to take Phentermine if you already have:
• a brain or spinal cord disorder;
• high blood pressure or any kind of cardiovascular problem such as angina, arrhythmia, etc.;
• arteriosclerosis;
• an overactive thyroid;
• diabetes mellitus;
• high cholesterol or lipid levels;
• anorexia nervosa;
• insomnia;
• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• psychopathic personality disorders or suicidal tendencies;
• Tourette's Syndrome;
• any disorder likely to make you more anxious or agitated; or
• a history of alcohol or substance abuse.
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