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Diethylpropion Coupon - Diethylpropion 75mg tablet

diethylpropion

Generic
Used for Weight Loss
Used for Weight Loss

Diethylpropion is a medication that's taken by mouth help with obesity and weight loss. It's typically used together with a low-calorie diet and exercise plan. This medication is only meant to be used for a short period of time because it has many potential risks.

Last reviewed on March 23, 2023
Diethylpropion is a controlled substance, which means that it's more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
basics-icon

What is Diethylpropion?

What is Diethylpropion used for?

  • Weight management when diet and exercise alone aren't enough in people with obesity

How Diethylpropion works

Diethylpropion is a sympathomimetic amine and has stimulant-like properties. It mainly works in the brain and is thought to help lower your appetite.

When does Diethylpropion start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsTenuate (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassSympathomimetic amine
Controlled Substance ClassificationSchedule IV
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the risks and warnings for Diethylpropion?

Diethylpropion can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

risk-warning

High blood pressure affecting the heart and lungs

  • Risk factors: Long-term use of diethylpropion

    Medications with stimulant properties that are used for weight loss, including diethylpropion, can cause a rare and potentially deadly problem called pulmonary hypertension. When the pressure in the blood vessels that go from the heart to the lungs are too high, blood isn't able to travel well to the lungs and back to the heart. This can cause lung and heart problems. The risk for pulmonary hypertension is over 20 times higher if you use diethylpropion for more than 3 months. Report any troubled breathing, chest pain, fainting, or swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs to your provider right away. These could be signs of pulmonary hypertension.

    risk-warning

    Heart valve problems

    • Risk factors: Long-term use of diethylpropion | Higher than recommended dose of diethylpropion | Using together with other appetite-suppressing medications | Heart problems

      The use of weight loss medications that have stimulant properties might cause damage to your heart valves. This has happened very rarely with diethylpropion, but we're not able to completely rule out the risk. The risk might be greater if you use diethylpropion long term and if you take it along with other appetite-suppressing medications or herbal products. Make sure to tell your provider if you have a history of any heart conditions. Your provider will check your heart function before starting diethylpropion.

      risk-warning

      Potential for misuse and dependence

      • Risk factors: History of substance misuse or dependence

        Diethylpropion can be habit-forming. Because of this, it should be used with caution in people who have a history of substance misuse or dependence. Withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, mood changes, and changes in sleep patterns, can occur if you stop diethylpropion all of a sudden after long-term use. You and your provider will need to weigh the risks and benefits before adding diethylpropion to your weight loss regimen.

        basics-icon

        What are the side effects of Diethylpropion?

        The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

        Common Side Effects

        • Nausea
        • Vomiting
        • Diarrhea
        • Upset stomach
        • Constipation
        • Dry mouth
        • Headache
        • Nervousness
        • Jitteriness
        • Racing heart
        • Trouble falling asleep
        • Changes in sex drive

        Other Side Effects

        • Dizziness
        • Drowsiness
        • Unpleasant taste in your mouth
        • Muscle pain
        • Sweating a lot
        • Anxiety
        • Depressed mood
        • Blurred vision
        • Higher blood pressure

        Serious Side Effects

        Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
        • Heart or lung problems: chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness
        • Heart valve problems: fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, chest pain

        Source: DailyMed

        The following side effects have also been reported

        Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

        Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

        Rare

        Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

        severe mental changes

        shortness of breath

        Incidence not known

        Black, tarry stools

        blurred vision

        burning while urinating

        chest pain

        chills

        convulsions

        cough or hoarseness

        decreased ability to exercise

        depression

        difficult or labored breathing

        difficult or painful urination

        dizziness

        fainting

        false or unusual sense of well-being

        fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

        fear or nervousness

        fever with or without chills

        frequent urination

        general feeling of tiredness or weakness

        headache

        inability to speak

        increased volume of pale, dilute urine

        lower back or side pain

        nosebleeds

        numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs

        restlessness

        severe or sudden headache

        shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

        slurred speech

        sore throat

        sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

        swelling of the feet or lower legs

        swollen glands

        temporary blindness

        tightness in the chest

        trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

        trouble with breathing

        twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

        unusual bleeding or bruising

        unusual tiredness or weakness

        vision problems

        weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

        wheezing

        Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

        Symptoms of overdose

        Abdominal or stomach cramps

        bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)

        change in consciousness

        confusion

        diarrhea

        dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

        increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

        loss of consciousness

        nausea

        overactive reflexes

        panic

        physical attempt to injure

        restlessness

        sweating

        violent actions

        vomiting

        Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

        Incidence not known

        Abdominal or stomach discomfort

        bruising

        difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

        drowsiness

        dry mouth

        general feeling of discomfort or illness

        hair loss

        headache

        hives or welts

        indigestion

        itching

        large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin

        loss of appetite

        muscle pain

        passing of gas

        redness of the skin

        skin rash

        sleeplessness

        stomach fullness or discomfort

        trouble sleeping

        unable to sleep

        unpleasant taste

        Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

        Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

        pros-and-cons

        Pros and cons of Diethylpropion

        thumbs-up

        Pros

        An option to help manage your weight when diet and exercise alone haven't worked

        Helps lower your appetite so you're not as hungry before meals

        Comes as both an immediate-release tablet (taken before each meal) and an extended-release tablet (taken once a day)

        Lower-cost generic available

        thumbs-down

        Cons

        Might not be a good choice for people age 65 or older, or people with kidney or heart problems

        Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop the medication after taking it for a while

        Not for long-term use

        Might not work as well as other weight loss medications

        Not recommended for people who've taken similar weight loss medications (like phentermine (Adipex-P)) in the past year

        pharmacist-tips

        Pharmacist tips for Diethylpropion

        pharmacist
        • Diethylpropion is meant to be used together with diet and exercise for the best results. Discuss with your provider to find a weight loss regimen that works best for you.

          • Diethylpropion can sometimes cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. These side effects can affect your ability to drive safely. Before driving or performing activities where you need to be alert, make sure you know how this medication affects you.

            • Don't crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Doing so will affect how the medication is released in the body and could lead to more side effects. Diethylpropion extended-release tablet should be swallowed whole.

              • Diethylpropion can be habit-forming. Never share your medication with another person, especially someone with a history of substance use disorder or addiction.

                • If you're taking medications to lower your blood sugar (e.g., insulin), make sure to check your blood sugar regularly and let your provider know if you notice any changes. Diethylpropion might affect your blood sugar levels. You might need changes to the dose of your diabetes medications to better manage your blood sugar levels.

                  • You shouldn't take this medication within 2 weeks of taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a class of medication that's typically used to treat depression. This dangerous combination can cause extremely high blood pressure, which can be deadly.

                    • Ask your provider before starting any new medications. It's not recommended to take diethylpropion with certain weight loss medications, including some that are over the counter. Doing so can raise your risk for serious side effects.

                      faqs

                      Frequently asked questions about Diethylpropion

                      How long can you take diethylpropion?
                      Diethylpropion is only meant for short-term use (at most 12 weeks). Taking it for longer than the recommended amount of time can cause serious side effects, like heart problems, high blood pressure, and trouble sleeping. Your body might also start to rely on the medication to function. This is called physical dependence. When you're physically dependent on diethylpropion and you stop taking the medication suddenly, you're likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, other mood changes, and extreme tiredness. Discuss with your provider about your options if you need a long-term plan to help manage your weight.
                      Is diethylpropion a controlled substance?
                      Yes, diethylpropion is considered a Schedule IV controlled substance. Diethylpropion has some chemical properties similar to amphetamines and other related stimulant medications. Similar to stimulants and amphetamines, diethylpropion has a potential for dependence and misuse. Therefore, this medication should only be used short-term together with a proper diet and exercise.
                      Is the extended-release version of diethylpropion better than the immediate-release version?
                      The once-daily, extended-release (ER) version of diethylpropion isn't any better than the immediate-release (IR) version that's taken three times a day. In fact, one study showed that there weren't any differences in how well the ER and IR versions worked for people. In the study, the people who took the ER version (one 75 mg tablet once daily) had similar amounts of medication in their body to those who took the IR version (one 25 mg tablet three times daily). If you tend to forget to take your medications, talk with your provider about trying the ER version since there doesn't seem to be a major difference between the two.
                      Can anyone who wants to lose weight take diethylpropion?
                      No. This medication should only be used in people with obesity — having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m^2^ or higher — who also haven't had weight loss results with diet and exercise alone. This medication is used together with a low-calorie diet and exercise program. Speak with your provider if diethylpropion is right for your needs.
                      How much weight should I be losing while taking diethylpropion?
                      For the best results from diethylpropion, you'll want to make sure that you're eating a low-calorie diet and exercising regularly. Your provider will closely keep track of your weight and progress. If you haven't lost at least 4 pounds within the first 4 weeks of taking the medication along with a low-calorie diet and exercise plan, let your provider know. They'll speak with you about the risks and benefits of continuing diethylpropion. In general, if you're getting little to no benefit from the medication, it might not be necessary to continue it because it could put you at risk for side effects. Remember to regularly follow up with your provider to discuss how well diethylpropion and the rest of your weight management plan are working for you.
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                      dosage

                      Diethylpropion dosage forms

                      The average cost for 30 tablets of 75mg of Diethylpropion is $22.34 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 57.05% off the average retail price of $52.01.
                      tablet
                      Tablet
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      25mg90 tablets$17.50$0.19
                      75mg30 tablets$22.34$0.74

                      Typical dosing for Diethylpropion

                      • Immediate-release tablet: The typical dose is 25 mg by mouth three times a day, 1 hour before meals. If needed, your provider might prescribe a fourth dose in the evening if you have problems with night hunger.

                      • Extended-release tablet: The typical dose is 75 mg by mouth once a day in midmorning.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Diethylpropion and other drugs

                      Diethylpropion may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Diethylpropion. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      • Iobenguane I 131
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                      contraindications-icon

                      Diethylpropion contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Diethylpropion will not be safe for you to take.
                      • Pulmonary hypertension

                      • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

                      • Severe coronary artery disease (CAD)

                      • Glaucoma

                      • Uncontrolled high blood pressure

                      • People in an agitated or distressed state

                      • History of substance use disorder

                      • Use with other appetite-suppressing weight loss medications

                      • Taking within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Diethylpropion?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Diethylpropion. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Diethylpropion
                      Used for:
                      • Weight management when diet and exercise alone aren't enough in people with obesity

                      $17.50 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      $12.82 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      $16.30 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      images

                      Diethylpropion images

                      White Oblong 1477 And Lci - Diethylpropion Hydrochloride 75mg Extended-Release Tablet
                      This medicine is White, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "Lci" And "1477".White Oblong 1477 And Lci - Diethylpropion Hydrochloride 75mg Extended-Release Tablet

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Pulmonary Hypertension.

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). About Adult BMI.

                      Grunvald, E., et al. (2022). https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(22)01026-5/fulltext. Gastroenterology.

                      View All References (7)

                      Lannett Company, Inc. (2019). DIETHYLPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      Lannett Company, Inc. (2019). DIETHYLPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE ER- diethylpropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      MedlinePlus. (2016). Prescription Drug Misuse. 

                      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid).

                      Silva, C. D., et al. (2014). Evaluation of the toxic activity of anorectic diethylpropion in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Human & Experimental Toxicology.

                      U.S. Department of Justice. (2020). Stimulants drug fact sheet.

                      U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Amphetamines.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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