Bontril

Phendimetrazine, also known and sold under many trade names – Bontril, Bontril PDM, Bontril Slow-Release, Melfiat, Obezine, Phendiet, Phendiet-105, and Prelu-2, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as appetite suppressants. This medication is used in a combination with exercise plan, and low calorie diet in order to lose weight.

It is usually used within overweight people, who need to lose weight in order to treat or prevent different medical conditions, such as:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Shorter life

It is considered to work by decreasing the appetite. This medication is available in the form of a tablet and a capsule, for oral use.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks. For this decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make. During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within pediatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks. This medication must not be used within children younger than 12 years of age.
• Geriatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that there are no age-connected risks when this medication has been used within geriatric patients. However, because of the increased possibility of kidney and heart problems within the elderly, this medication must be used with extra caution.
• Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication has a harmful effect to the fetus. This medication must not be used during pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and alcohol during the treatment.
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – agitated state, arteriosclerosis, drug abuse or dependence, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, heart problems, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease.

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the forms of a tablet and a capsule, for oral use. Swallow the tablet or the capsule whole. Do not chew, break or crush the tablet or the capsule. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on you condition and the prognosis of the treatment. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful in case of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor right away for further directions.

Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This medication must not be used during pregnancy, due to the studies which confirm the harmful effect that this medication has on the fetus.

At least two forms of birth control must be used during the treatment. Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers.

This medication is not recommended to be used within children younger than 12 years of age. This medication may cause dizziness or blurred vision to occur. Avoid driving and any other activities which require alertness and clear vision during the treatment.

Along with its needed beneficial effects, there are potential side effects which could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor for further directions.

• Common side effects – dizziness, dry mouth, trouble sleeping, irritability, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These are common side effects which are not considered as serious. However, if their presence worsens or persists, inform the doctor as soon as possible.
• Serious side effects – fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, mood changes, uncontrolled muscle movements, severe headache, slurred speech, seizures, vision changes, lung or heart problems (chest pain, fainting, swelling of the ankles/feet). If you notice any of these side effects, report it to the doctor as soon as possible.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.