9 Phentermine Side Effects You Should Know About
Common phentermine side effects include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, and headache. Our guide helps you navigate potential risks for a safer weight-loss journey.
Lomaira
Used for Weight loss
Used for Weight loss
Lomaira (phentermine) is a prescription appetite suppressant. It's used for short-term weight loss in people ages 17 and older, along with a nutritious diet and exercise. The medication comes as a low-dose 8 mg tablet that's taken by mouth, usually three times a day before meals. Common side effects include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, and headaches.
What is Lomaira (phentermine)?
What is Lomaira (phentermine) used for?
- Short-term weight management, along with a lower-calorie diet, exercise, and healthy habit changes, for people ages 17 years and older with a body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m² or greater, or
- 27 kg/m² or greater with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol)
How Lomaira (phentermine) works
Lomaira (phentermine) is a sympathomimetic (stimulant). The exact way it works to help with weight loss isn't well understood. But it's thought to work by lowering your appetite so you feel less hungry.
When does Lomaira (phentermine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lomaira |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Sympathomimetic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule IV |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Lomaira (phentermine) essentials
Risks and warnings for Lomaira (phentermine)
Lomaira (phentermine) 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.
Risks of taking Lomaira (phentermine) with certain medications
It's not known if Lomaira (phentermine) is safe to take with other weight loss medications. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and herbal supplements.
Taking Lomaira (phentermine) with certain antidepressants also might not be recommended. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac). Taking them together might raise your risk of serotonin syndrome. This is a serious reaction caused by too much serotonin in your body.
Tell your prescriber about all the medications you take and plan to take. They can check if it's safe to take them with Lomaira (phentermine).
Risk of tolerance
Lomaira (phentermine) might not work as well to lower your appetite after a while. This is called tolerance. If you feel Lomaira (phentermine) stops working as well, don't take a higher dose to get the same effect. Taking more than prescribed can cause serious side effects. Tell your prescriber if you notice your appetite coming back. They can help you stop Lomaira (phentermine) and find other weight loss options.
Risk of misuse and dependence
- Risk factors: Taking more Lomaira (phentermine) than prescribed
Lomaira (phentermine) is a stimulant medication that can be misused and cause dependence. Misuse and dependence can raise the risk of taking too much Lomaira (phentermine). This can cause serious side effects or an overdose.
To lower these risks, your prescriber will only give you the smallest amount of Lomaira (phentermine) needed at a time. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Lomaira (phentermine) is only meant for short-term use. Talk to your prescriber about other options for managing your weight over time.
Trouble driving or using machinery
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol
Lomaira (phentermine) can cause dizziness, shaking, or trouble focusing. These side effects can make it unsafe to drive or use heavy machinery. Avoid these activities until you know how Lomaira (phentermine) affects you. Tell your care team if these side effects don't go away or make it hard to drive or use dangerous machines safely.
Lung and heart valve problems
Rare but serious pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) and heart valve problems have been reported in people taking phentermine with fenfluramine. There have also been rare reports in people taking phentermine alone. But it's not clear if phentermine caused these problems.
Stop taking Lomaira (phentermine) and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or swelling in your legs or feet. Also get medical help if you feel tired or out of breath more easily during exercise. These could be signs of serious heart or lung problems.
Risk of high blood pressure
Tell your prescriber if you have high blood pressure, even if it's well controlled with medication. Lomaira (phentermine) can raise your blood pressure. Your care team might ask you to check your blood pressure more often during treatment. Let your prescriber know if it stays higher than usual while taking Lomaira (phentermine). They can help decide if your treatment needs to change.
Risk of low blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Risk factors: Using insulin | Taking sulfonylureas like glipizide
Taking Lomaira (phentermine) with certain diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas like glipizide, can put you at risk of low blood sugar. Your care team might need to lower your diabetes medication doses while you're taking Lomaira (phentermine).
Watch for signs of low blood sugar, such as shaking, sweating, or dizziness. Keep glucose tablets or another fast-acting source of sugar with you. If your blood sugar drops too low, treat it right away. Call 911 if your symptoms don't improve, you feel confused, pass out, or have a seizure.
Side effects of Lomaira (phentermine)
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
- Dry mouth
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Headache
- Tremor
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Feeling uneasy
- Feeling "high"
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Changes in sex drive
Lomaira (phentermine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious heart or lung problems: chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling in the legs or feet, getting tired or out of breath easily during exercise
- Very high blood pressure: severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, blurry vision, confusion
More on Lomaira (phentermine) side effects
The following Lomaira (phentermine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart valve disease—shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, fever, sudden weight gain, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Pulmonary hypertension—shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling faint or lightheaded, fatigue, swelling of the ankles or feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Lomaira (phentermine)
Pros
- A lower-dose version of phentermine
- Can help with weight loss by making you feel less hungry
- Some people might see weight loss within 2 weeks
- Tablets can be split in half if needed
Cons
- Usually taken three times a day
- Can cause trouble sleeping, especially if taken late in the day
- Only meant for short-term use (less than 12 weeks)
- Not known if safe to take with other weight loss medications
Pharmacist tips for Lomaira (phentermine)
- Take Lomaira (phentermine) about 30 minutes before meals. It's usually taken three times a day. Avoid taking it close to bedtime because it can cause trouble sleeping.
- Lomaira (phentermine) is only meant for short-term use (a few weeks). If it stops helping to lower your appetite, don't raise your dose. Talk to your prescriber about other weight loss options.
- Follow a balanced diet that's low in fat and sugar and get regular exercise while taking Lomaira (phentermine). These habits can help you get the most benefit from treatment. Ask your care team for help making a weight loss plan that works for you.
- Lomaira (phentermine) can cause dizziness or trouble focusing, which can make driving or using heavy machinery unsafe. Avoid these activities until you know how the medication affects you.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Lomaira (phentermine). It can worsen side effects like dizziness, headaches, faster heart rate, and high blood pressure. It can also make it harder to reach your weight loss goals. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about Lomaira (phentermine) and alcohol.
- Tell your prescriber about all the medications you take or plan to take. Lomaira (phentermine) can interact with certain medications. Examples include certain antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Taking these together can raise the risk of serious side effects. Your prescriber can check if your medications are safe to take together.
- If you have diabetes, tell your prescriber before starting Lomaira (phentermine). Taking with certain diabetes medications, such as insulin or glipizide, can make your blood sugar drop too much. Your care team might need to lower your diabetes medication doses to keep you safe. Be sure you know how to spot and treat low blood sugar.
- If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant: Don't take Lomaira (phentermine) during pregnancy. Losing weight while pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your primary care provider about safe ways to manage your weight during pregnancy.
- If you plan to breastfeed: Lomaira (phentermine) isn't recommended breastfeeding while breastfeeding. It's not known if it can pass into breast milk, but there's a potential risk of harm to nursing babies if it does. Talk to your prescriber about other options.
More on Lomaira (phentermine) tips
Lomaira (phentermine) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 8mg of Lomaira (phentermine) is $15.41 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8mg | 30 tablets | $15.41 | $0.51 |
Typical dosage for Lomaira (phentermine)
The typical dose is 8 mg by mouth three times a day, 30 minutes before each meal.
More on Lomaira (phentermine) dosage
How much does Lomaira (phentermine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Lomaira (phentermine) (generic)
$15.41
Lomaira (phentermine) 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 Lomaira (phentermine) will not be safe for you to take.
- History of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure)
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Glaucoma
- Severe agitation
- History of substance use disorder
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days
- Allergy to phentermine or other stimulant medications
What are alternatives to Lomaira (phentermine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Lomaira (phentermine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Used for:
Short-term treatment for weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:
$10.35View prices
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