The following information was retrieved from phentermine’s official website.

Phentermine accounts for 50% of all prescribed prescription appetite suppressants. Part of this reason is because it’s significantly cheaper than the other major FDA-approved diet drugs, Meridia and Xenical.

Phentermine first received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959 as an appetite suppressant for the short-term treatment of obesity.

Phentermine resin became available in the United States in 1959 and Phentermine Hydrochloride in the early 1970s.

In the US, Phentermine is currently sold under the brand names Ionamin® (Medeva Pharmaceuticals) and Adipex-P® (Gate Pharmaceuticals). It is also available as a generic medication, known as ‘phentermine’.

Previously, it was sold under the name Fastin® (formerly produced by King Pharmaceuticals for SmithKline Beecham). In December 1998, SK-Beecham withdrew Fastin from the market.

As Phentermine is an older drug, no new efficacy trials have been conducted. The one notable exception, are several trials on the combination of Phentermine and Fenfluramine in the early and mid 1990s.

Phen-Pro

The newest cocktail involving Phentermine is “Phen-Pro” – the “Pro” standing for Prozac. Any one of the following antidepressants: Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Trazadone or Effexor may be used in lieu of Prozac.

The use of the antidepressant in the Phen-Pro cocktail is unrelated to depression. The cocktail is necessary because the effects of Phentermine, when used alone, lessen over time. The Phen-Pro cocktail enables Phentermine to work better and for a longer period of time. The cocktail does not appear to cause the problems that resulted from the usage of Fen-Phen.

The combination of Phentermine and Prozac is considered an “off-label” use, meaning that the FDA, who often voice concerns regarding the mixing/combining of medications, does not approve it. However, once the agency has approved a drug, doctors may prescribe it at will.

It is always advisable that you seriously research any prescription drugs that you take. It is important that you are aware of the products that you are putting into your body. While there are many concerns related to the use of diet pills, they can be beneficial to help jump start your weight loss. So take the time to learn about the pills before you take them. And be aware that diet pills are not a long term solution to weight loss.