What You Need to Know about Phentermine Overdose

Before we discuss about the overdose of Phentermine, let me first give you an overview about the drug. Phentermine can only be bought through prescription. This means that this drug isn’t over the counter and needs prior consultation to a physician. Patients who have exogenous obesity are usually the ones who are prescribed with Phentermine.

Phentermine is a short term treatment medication for obesity, although it is never used as a single treatment but rather as a supplement to exercise and diet. The chemical composition of Phentermine is similar to that of the amphetamines because they both belong to the family of amines. This means that symptoms brought about by amphetamine can also be possible with intake of Phentermine.

Overdose of Phentermine can cause a major threat to a person’s well being. However, overdose can be caused by a lot of factors. These factors would include the prescribed dosage of Phentermine, intake of other medications, intake of prohibited substances such as alcohol, and intake of controlled substances or drug abuse. To be able to determine if you’re already experiencing Phentermine overdose, here are some of the early signs and symptoms that you should observe and report immediately to your physician:

Tremors or shaking of hands and other parts of the body
Mental confusion
Body weakness and restlessness
Panic or increased level of anxiety
Violence
Breathing rapidly or at a fast rate
Arrhythmia
Changes in blood pressure, either too high or too low
Seizures
Experiencing hallucinations
Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping
Coma and death

Because Phentermine is a stimulant, people who take this drug would often feel active but would feel extremely exhausted afterwards. If the patient has Phentermine overdose, physicians would often order a procedure called gastric gavage and lavage, wherein the substance is removed from the stomach through placing a tube in the stomach. Vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure are also frequently monitored. Often times, symptomatic treatment is rendered. This means that the treatment is directed to the symptoms brought about by the overdose.