Phentermine, a 60-year-old weight-loss drug, is safe for long-term use

One study showed that phentermine was safe for use longer than the currently recommended three months

An inexpensive weight loss medication, approved 60 years ago for short-term use only, can also be safe and effective for long-term treatment.

According to a study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health and the PORTAL network (Research to Advance Learning), phentermine could be safely used beyond the currently recommended three months.

The study was published in today's issue of the journal Obesity.

"Although diet and exercise are essential components of any weight loss program, almost half of patients do not succeed in the long-term with lifestyle changes," said Kristina H. Lewis, first author, MD, badistant professor of epidemiology and prevention. , at wake forest baptism.

"For patients who respond to and tolerate it, phentermine can be a safe and affordable way to lose weight longer and longer."

"In these cases, medications or surgery can help. Generic phentermine is an effective and affordable option, but now that we consider obesity as a chronic disease, it is important to have drugs that can be used indefinitely. Most new weight loss medications are approved for long-term use, but unfortunately, newer medications can be expensive if they are not covered by insurance. "

Lewis and his team badyzed data from the electronic health records of 13,972 adults who had been prescribed phentermine for short-term use compared to long-term use of a year or more. The researchers compared weight loss and changes in blood pressure over a period of up to two years, as well as the risk of heart attack, stroke or death for up to three years. years, depending on the duration of use of the drug by the patient.

The study found that people who stayed on phentermine longer had greater weight loss than those who took it for three months or less, and that long-term use was not badociated with increased blood pressure or increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

"In general, the more drugs patients took, the more weight they lost," Lewis said. "Not surprisingly, when patients stopped taking the medication, weight regain was commonplace."

However, Lewis warned that phentermine is a stimulant and should not be used in people with a history of uncontrolled heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. But for those with low heart risk, normal blood pressure or well-treated high blood pressure, this could be a good affordable option, she said.

"For patients who respond to it and tolerate it, phentermine can be a safe and affordable way to achieve greater and longer-lasting weight loss, but we need clinical trials for more certainty." said Lewis. "At the moment, there is no change to the FDA labeling, so doctors should be cautious when they decide to prescribe it for the long term."