Diethylpropion, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: appetite suppressant

Generic and brand names: diethylpropion, oral; Tenuate

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to control your appetite. Along with a sensible diet and exercise plan, it can help you lose weight.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a mental illness such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression
• glaucoma
• heart problems, angina, or high blood pressure
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• diabetes
• porphyria (nerve pain or sensitivity to sunlight)
• seizures
• thyroid disease
• Tourette's syndrome

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not increase the dosage without your healthcare provider's approval. It may be habit-forming. If you take this medicine for a long time, do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dose gradually.

This medicine works best if taken 1 hour before eating.

Some forms of this medicine are long-acting and must be swallowed whole. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if this applies to your medicine.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: restlessness, tremors, fast breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine should be used only for short-term weight control. You will need regular checkups to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments. Follow your healthcare provider's advice about diet, eating habits, and exercise to maintain weight loss.

If you have diabetes, your dosage of insulin or other diabetes medicine may need to be changed when taking this medicine because you will be eating fewer calories.

This medicine may make you overexcited or cause trouble sleeping. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you should take the last dose of the day to avoid trouble sleeping at night.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine while taking this medicine.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fast heartbeat; sudden or worsening breathing with exertion; chest pain; lightheadedness; fainting; swelling in the lower legs; high blood pressure; inability to urinate; confusion; depression; rash; hives; hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not present); inability to speak; numbness or inability to move one side of the body.

Other: Nervousness; restlessness; trouble sleeping; irritability; constipation; vomiting; diarrhea; dry mouth; sweating; headache; changes in sexual ability or desire.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• diet medicines such as sibutramine (Meridia), including nonprescription medicines or herbal supplements
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as prazosin (Minipress), doxazosin (Cardura), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol, sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• decongestants such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine (ingredients in many nonprescription cold remedies such as Sudafed
• stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat, Adderall, Adderall XR), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), doxapram (Dopram), methylphenidate (Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR), modafinil (Provigil), and pemoline (Cylert, PemADD)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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