- Use phentermine episodically on 2-3 days per week during fasting periods rather than daily to avoid metabolic damage and achieve sustained weight loss after stopping the medication.
- Standard daily phentermine use causes short-term weight loss that returns once you stop because continuous calorie restriction damages your metabolism, but episodic restriction does not.
- Expect 5-15 pounds of sustainable weight loss with episodic phentermine use, but view it as one tool in a comprehensive program including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
- You're most likely to benefit from phentermine if you've never used it before, have no history of yo-yo dieting, have normal thyroid function, and are implementing lifestyle changes simultaneously.
Most people are not using phentermine, for weight loss, correctly.
Before you jump to conclusions, let me explain:
There is a “standard” way to use phentermine (the way that most Doctors use it) and a “better” way to use it (the way that I recommend you use it) and by simply changing how you use it, you can increase weight loss while reducing symptoms.
If you want to know how to use phentermine safely and correctly, while avoiding negative side effects and optimizing your weight loss, then this is the article for you.
What is Phentermine?
As a doctor, I’ve always been interested in weight loss.
To me, it seems like it’s probably one of the most important conditions that patients deal with and it’s insanely common.
Losing weight helps improve quality of life, energy levels, and self-confidence of almost everyone who achieves it.
So you can imagine how excited I was to use phentermine (a supposed weight loss medication) once I started my weight loss practice.
But I was incredibly bummed out once I saw the results!
I expected patients to shed excess pounds and come back happy and healthy.
What I found was quite the opposite:
Some patients lost a minor amount of weight (a few pounds here and there) but many suffered from side effects that made them stop taking the medication.
Worse yet, some patients experienced no weight loss at all.
So, what gives?
At first, this caused me to stop using phentermine, but then I realized that there may be a better way to use it.
What if we can take advantage of the weight loss associated with this medication while minimizing the negative side effects all while maintaining weight loss after patients stop using it?
Sound too good to be true?
I will explain how to do this, but first, you need to know some basics:
So what exactly is phentermine?
Phentermine (also known as Adipex, Fastin, Lomaira, and Pro-Fast) is one of MANY weight loss medications FDA-approved to treat obesity in the United States.
It works by stimulating your sympathetic nervous system and is classified as a “stimulant” (1).
Stimulants work to reduce your appetite and increase the number of calories that you burn at baseline (your metabolism).
Used in this way many studies show that it is effective.
But we have a problem:
Phentermine works fairly well (in up to 80% of patients in some studies) but it’s NOT a long-term solution.
Phentermine is supposed to work because it suppresses your appetite.
If you eat less food then you should lose weight, right?
Not so fast.
You may lose weight, but do you really care if you lose weight if it all comes back once you stop the medication?
That’s one of the biggest problems with using phentermine.
It may act to temporarily suppress your appetite, but whatever results you achieve while using this medication practically disappear once you stop it.
What this means is that phentermine is NOT a long-term solution for weight loss.
Or is it?
There are actually ways to increase the length of time you can use it while avoiding weight gain after you stop it (more on that later).
Does it Actually Help with Weight Loss?
From a technical standpoint, it is clear that phentermine does indeed work to reduce weight.
But when you look at real patient reviews you see something quite different:
Most people do admit that phentermine can help them lose weight (in the short term) but almost everyone puts back on the weight that they lose once they stop the medication.
This phenomenon is well known to researchers and it is the reason that phentermine is only approved for SHORT-term weight loss.
But what good is weight loss if it’s not sustained?
If you take the time and energy to lose weight it’s only natural that you want that weight to STAY off.
Even though it doesn’t show sustained weight loss in clinical studies, we can still use the fact that it “works” to our advantage.
We know that FDA-approved doses do indeed suppress the appetite and do indeed alter the sympathetic nervous system (thereby increasing how many calories you burn).
The question then becomes how can we use phentermine correctly to lose weight in the long term while avoiding negative side effects.
The answer to this question has to do with how this medication is used (including dosage and frequency).
Most People use Phentermine Incorrectly
I said previously that most people use phentermine incorrectly so we need to expand upon that idea.
The “standard” way to use this medication is something like this:
Take 1 pill each and every morning for 30-day intervals (the maximum amount of time you can prescribe the medication).
Each day you take it you will notice that your appetite is reduced so you consume less food.
Because of this reduction in caloric intake, you will lose some weight (maybe a few pounds a month).
Eventually, your Doctor will stop prescribing the medication and you will slowly regain whatever weight you lost over this 1-3 month period.
Most Doctors will NOT prescribe phentermine longer than a 3-month time period because it is well known that the benefits of phentermine start to decline after that time period.
So even if you lost some weight while using it initially, you will have diminishing returns on your weight loss over time.
That means if you lost 5 pounds the first month you’ll probably lose 2-3 pounds the next month and then another 1 pound the following month.
Taking it for another 3-6 months will NOT increase the amount you lose.
This is the “standard” way to use phentermine and it’s how most Doctors recommend that you use it.
But there are some tweaks that I’ve learned over the years to dramatically improve how effective it can be.
How to use Phentermine Correctly (The most effective method)
So how should you actually use phentermine for long-lasting and sustained weight loss?
In order to discuss how this is done you need to understand the importance of your metabolism (also known as metabolic rate) on your weight.
Your metabolism is a term used to describe the number of calories that you burn doing everyday activities such as breathing, sleeping, thinking, etc.
This amount of calories account for up to 90% of the total amount of calories that you burn each and every day (depending on which study you look at).
But we have a big problem.
It’s well known that CALORIC restriction is known to cause a REDUCTION in your metabolism and basal metabolic rate.
Let’s rephrase that statement to make sure it’s clear:
If you consume fewer calories than whatever your metabolism is set at, your body will adapt by LOWERING your metabolism to match your food intake.
You might be seeing the problem here.
Phentermine causes a reduction in your appetite which WILL lead to a reduction in the number of calories that you consume.
This caloric restriction will ultimately lead to a reduction in your metabolism AND the regaining of weight after you stop the medication.
So how do you PREVENT this from happening?
It turns out that you can bypass this negative impact on metabolic function by altering how you reduce your calories.
As far as your metabolism is concerned, there is a HUGE difference between SUSTAINED caloric restriction and EPISODIC caloric restriction.
Sustained calorie restriction = 1,000 – 1,200 calorie diet daily x30 days.
Episodic calorie restriction = 1-3 days per week of 500-1,000 calories.
Sustained calorie restriction is the “standard” advice that most weight loss experts give and the way that most diets function.
You temporarily reduce the number of calories that you consume for some time interval (usually 30-90 days).
You lose some weight during this time period but you always gain it back because you damage your metabolism in the process.
Episodic calorie restriction, on the other hand, does NOT result in damage to your metabolism (6).
Episodic calorie restriction also has the benefit of causing the same amount of weight loss associated with sustained calorie restriction.
It’s really a no-brainer in terms of which one to choose.
But where does phentermine fit in?
Phentermine can be used to help BOOST the effectiveness of the episodes of temporary caloric restriction by INCREASING your metabolism and by REDUCING your appetite.
This combination makes using phentermine MUCH more effective and much safer.
You end up using a smaller dose, using that dose less frequently while still reaping the weight loss benefits.
Even this small change can have a huge impact on your total weight, how well you tolerate the medication, and more.
The absolute best way to use phentermine is to combine phentermine with intermittent or prolonged fasting routines.
Using phentermine no more than 3 days every 7 days (at the absolute most!).
Many patients will be fine using it only 2x every 7 days.
The days that you use phentermine are the days that you practice either prolonged or intermittent fasting.
You can take phentermine on the morning of and on an empty stomach to help reduce your appetite for that day.
You can learn more about how exactly I use phentermine in my weight loss program here.
It’s a simple change, but one that has a huge impact on your weight.
Before you run out and get your doctor to give you phentermine make sure that you read the limitations of this medication and use this method.
Is Phentermine Safe? Side Effects to Watch out for
As much as I like phentermine we need to be fair about the potential side effects associated with this medication.
The term stimulant is used to describe the effects of medications on the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system is your fight or flight response system and it manages your energy level, blood pressure, heart rate, alertness, and so on.
Medications that trigger this system often result in increased focus and attention (Adderall), suppressed appetite (phentermine), increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and increased demand on your heart in general (8).
With this concept in mind, we can talk about the POTENTIAL side effects of phentermine, including:
- Heart palpitations
- Hypertension or increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Appetite suppression
- Anxiety
- Constipation or Diarrhea (depends on the person)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Most of these side effects have to do with how sensitive you are to the dosing, meaning they are dose sensitive.
In most cases, simply reducing the amount that you take is usually enough to reduce the symptoms.
But a small minority of people, usually around 5-10%, will not be able to tolerate phentermine at any dose.
But, as you can see, phentermine is not necessarily a “safe” medication and it should only be used if necessary.
You have to think about whether the potential negative side effects are worth the loss in your weight and determine if that weight loss is worth the small risk.
In most cases, it is worth it, but if you have existing high blood pressure, heart problems, or insomnia then using phentermine may not be the best option for you.
When in doubt touch base with your Doctor.
Limitations of Phentermine & Who Should use it
Will using phentermine in the way I’ve described, result in pounds and pounds of weight loss for everyone?
Not necessarily, which is why we need to be realistic about your expectations.
If you are someone that is NAIVE to calorie-restricted diets or NAIVE to using phentermine then you are someone who will most likely have a lot of success with this method.
By naive I mean someone who has NOT used these methods before.
If, on the other hand, you are someone who has done the HCG diet multiple times or someone who has used phentermine for months and months on end, then this method will likely not work well for you.
So why does it work for some people but not others?
It takes years to reverse metabolic damage and metabolic damage is often associated with other hormone imbalances such as thyroid dysfunction and leptin resistance which will need to be treated.
If you fall into that category you can read more about how to fix it here.
But for those people who do not fall into this category phentermine will probably work very well for you.
To recap:
You are most likely to benefit from phentermine if you…
- Have never used phentermine before
- Do NOT have a history of yo-yo dieting
- Are younger (less than 50)
- Are ALSO eating healthy
- Are ALSO sleeping well at night
- Are ALSO avoiding/reducing stress
- Are ALSO exercising (but not over-exercising)
- Do NOT have thyroid disease, leptin resistance, or insulin resistance
If you don’t fit into the categories listed above it doesn’t mean that phentermine won’t work for you, but it does mean that it probably won’t be as effective as other therapies.
What Kind of Results Should I Expect if I use it?
It really depends on how you use phentermine.
As a stand-alone weight loss medication is just an “average” weight loss medication.
Don’t get me wrong, it can still help with weight loss, but it’s probably only going to help you lose 5-15 pounds long-term.
This is assuming that you use it as I’ve outlined above (with episodic intermittent and prolonged fasting).
But it’s most likely NOT going to get you to your “normal” weight, especially if you have 30+ pounds to lose.
Instead of using phentermine as a stand-alone medication, I tend to use it as an additional therapy to more powerful weight loss therapies.
I’ve written about them before, but you can find more information on powerful weight-loss medications here.
Phentermine is best used as part of a multi-faceted weight loss program which includes dietary changes, exercise routines, the right supplements, and other medications.
Phentermine can also be combined with hormonal therapy such as testosterone or T3 therapy to help boost weight loss over a short-term period.
Dosing Phentermine (Including Pricing)
Dosing phentermine is actually fairly straightforward.
The “standard” dose of phentermine is 37.5mg.
This is the highest dose you should take in any given day (do NOT exceed 1 tablet daily).
Higher doses will increase your blood pressure, and heart rate and may cause heart palpitations and so on.
Even at this dose of 37.5mg, some patients will find that they are “sensitive” to the dose and simply cannot tolerate it.
They may experience heart palpitations, anxiety, or even sleeping issues.
For those people who fit this category just remember that the tablets are scored down the middle.
This means you can cut the dose in half, down to 18.75mg, by breaking the tablet in half.
This USUALLY works for most people.
What about the cost?
I’m all for using low-cost medications, provided they work and provided they are NOT dangerous.
In terms of cost, phentermine is reasonably priced (even though it is not the “safest” medication out there).
The cash price for phentermine, provided you use a coupon service like goodrx, should only run you about $10 for 30 tablets:
If you use phentermine the way I’ve outlined above then that cost drops considerably.
Why?
Because you’re only using 2-3 tablets per WEEK.
The pharmacies won’t like it, but your wallet certainly should.
Bottom Line
I’ve spent a lot of time practicing different ways to help people lose weight and this is just one of many strategies that I’ve created over the years.
By simply altering how you look at your weight and what actually causes weight loss you can make changes that will dramatically impact your weight long-term.
Standard recommendations for using phentermine seem to be inadequate and may cause long-term metabolic damage.
Instead of using phentermine as recommended, consider using it in an episodic way.
This will allow for more sustained weight loss, and fewer side effects all while avoiding metabolic damage.
I’ve used this strategy many times in my career and it has worked well for many different patients.
Now I want to hear from you:
Are you using phentermine for weight loss?
Is it working for you? Why or why not?
Have you damaged your metabolism in the process?
Leave your comments below!
I have taken phentermine off and on for a few years – I restarted it recently and about two weeks after starting it my feet and ankles have become swollen during the day – they do go down while I’m asleep at night but the next day that become severely swollen again. I have quit taking the medication – will this go away?
Hi Marie,
It may or may not, it depends on what caused the swelling.
I loved this article. I used to weigh 210 I bs. I got down to 137 pounds. I had to stop the phentermine because my doctor only allows you to be on it for 6 months then take a break and you can go back on it. This article is point on. I gained 20 pounds back in 2 months. I ate high protein low card diet while taking it and I continued the same structure of eating after. No matter what I did the weight piled on. I want to sustain my weight loss so I am going to try the one you recommend of 1000 calories a day. I haven’t eaten bread, pasta, grains or any kind of flour, etc for 14 months. If I do eat these type of items I get super sick. My body won’t tolerate them anymore. I started back my phentermine yesterday and I lost 5 pounds since yesterday morning. I ate a large piece of turkey meatloaf with sauteed veggies in it. I don’t eat any sauces either. I use ranch ( low in carbs or Italian dressing). My favorite go-to seasoning is Cavendars. If you haven’t tried it buy some. I use it in everything I cook and no carbs or super low in carbs. I need to know exactly how to keep my metabolism up after I stop this medication again. I do not want to gain the weight back. I have a very physical job but I also have MS and I wonder if MS can affect my metabolism. When off the pills I still ate healthily but I also can not eat any fruit. Is there a diet plan with menus that are available that I could follow while taking phentermine and so I can follow them after? If not please write a meal plan book. You could make some big bucks writing it. Thank You for your time.
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for sharing! I do have a meal plan which is integrated into my weight loss guide which you can learn about here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
Today is my first day of taking Phentermine. I’m glad I came across this website as I begin this prescription. I gained 25 lb over the last five years and I believe it’s due to hormonal changes. I began taking small dose of estradiol. I feel I’m pretty active most the time. Never in my life have had a weight problem I’m 57 always been in the range of 110 to 115 pounds. I noticed that you had said that you no more about hormonal changes in our women’s this is kind of a sensitive subject but, my husband and I haven’t had sex in 5 yours and I have no real desire to have it as well. Last time we did have sexual intercourse it was very very painful and I do not want it now for sure. Is there anything I can do to change this I would like to have intimacy again as it’s killing our relationship as well but I don’t want to have it if it’s very painful I feel that losing weight might be help me feel more desirable may be needed or wanted for now I know my husband doesn’t want that. He tells me don’t lose weight on my account cuz it won’t change anything on how I feel about you. Sounds like I need a divorce what do you think? I guess I just wanted to hear it another person’s opinion other than family and friends
If you know of anything that could help me to gain more intimacy I want to get a least I would be eternally grateful. I spoke with my physician about it and she the nurse practitioner and didn’t say anything on how it could help or I could be helped by it.
Hello. I am from Poland I would like to order / buy phentermine. Do I have to have a prescription for a med…
Hi Agnieszka,
In the United States, you do need a prescription but I’m not sure if that’s also true in Poland.
Hi Dr. Childs,
I have been taking a half-dosage of phentermine for almost 2 weeks now and have lost about 10 pounds. (Currently 5’4″ and 180-punds at 50 yrs old.) I exercise 5-6 days a week and an already pretty active. The half-dose is working to stave off hunger a bit, but I still have to work at it. (Calorie counting, drinking lots of water and herbal tea help me feel full, etc..) I was just about to move to a full dosage when I came across your blog and a better way to use the drug. (The last thing I want is to damage my metabolism and/or reach the end of my prescription limit – I assume my dr. will take me off of this after a couple of months – only to gain the weight back.) My questions are:
1- should I move to taking a whole dose 3x a week (eating 1000 calories those days)? Or stay with half-dose? I am asking from a standpoint or rev’ing up the metabolism on those days. Plus, it’s already very hard for me with a half-dose eating 1400-1600 calories a day because I do exercise (spin or strength training for an hour).
2- Assuming a do the 3x a week phentermine (1000 cal) and 4x a week no pill but restricted diet (1500-1600 cal a day) – how long can I take phentermine? Indefinitely? In other words, is a half-dose (or a whole dose) 3x a week for a long period of time safe if I’m otherwise healthy?
Incidentally, I have had zero side-effects. No trouble sleeping, no dryness, no head aches – nothing.
Thank you in advance for your time answering.
Kate
Wow, it’s a little overwhelming with all the comments. I used phentermine back in 1996 when it was mixed with Pondimin not sure of the correct spelling back then it was called phen-phen. I lost over 85lbs on it in 3-6 months. It worked great and I kept off the weight until I got pregnant. Then it was a major struggle and I got up to 309 my all time heaviest. I had gastric bypass in 2001 I was around 25 years old. I got down to 138 but seemed to stay more at 150 usually. Had another child in 2010 and still managed to get the weight down until the last few years. I noticed that after I had novasure (surgery) I really started to gain weight? Which I had because I am iron b12 anemic from my bypass and the monthly cycle had gotten so bad they couldn’t get my blood levels stable. Well, here I am age 43 and learning how terrible it is to get off at this age. I am currently taking phentermine 37.5 mg been on it for a month now and down from 212 to 200. I wouldn’t say I even overate, it was less active if anything? However, I am back on treadmill 6 days a week and walking my neighborhood every night and feel like I’m gonna collapse at the time lol. My doctor says the novasure wouldn’t affect the weight but I really disagree. I am eating a 1000 calories a day and walking over 13000 steps a day and it’s barely budging now? Love my Fitbit it has been a huge help, it even tells me I’m burning over 2400 calories a day. So why isn’t it coming off? In the past week, I have not lost a pound? Trying so hard to not get discouraged but it’s so depressing to be at a standstill already.
Hello,
I’m looking forward to changing the way I take Phentermine. I have a few questions:
How long do you recommend taking the Phentermine in this way (3 months or longer, until my 3 month Rx runs out)?
My Dr also put me on LDN.
Will this combination help my weight loss efforts?
Thank you!
Are these meds only by prescription?
Hi Darlene,
Yes, they are only available with a prescription (in the US at least).
Um, thanks for not answering my questions to you. Darlene got her answer the same day!! I know you probably don’t have time to answer questions…so don’t have that feature enabled. What a disappointment.
BTW, I’m not interested in hearing answers from you now.
Hi Kate,
Sorry about that! You are correct in your assertion that there are just too many questions and not enough time on my part but I do feel that answering some questions is better than answering none.
Hi, I’m currently on lisinopril 20mg for high blood pressure. My Dr.suggested Phentermine 15mg for weight loss. Is this safe for me?
Hello! I was happy to stumble across your article online. Thank you for taking the time to offer your experience and expert advice on this medication! My question is, have you ever noticed any differences; with yourself or your patients, in taking the brand name of phentermine(Adipex-P) vs. the generic brand? I have used the generic brand in the past(2009) having great success, dropping 35 pounds in 8 weeks and keeping the weight off for 7 years. I started taking the generic brand medication about 2 months ago but I’m struggling to get to my goal. My doctor is now having me try the name brand(Adipex-P) to see if this may help with my results. I know you stated that using this drug more than once lowers your chances for weight loss success. But, I’m hopeful that if I try your method of intermittent fasting and lowering the amount taken weekly, I can reach my goal. One thing I have noticed with taking Adipex-P vs. the generic brand is that I seem to have less of the undesirable side effects that the generic brand gave me!
Thank you for your time,
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I’ve never noticed any difference but I also use it differently than most people. I only ever use phentermine as a way to augment other weight loss therapies instead of relying upon it solely for weight loss. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if some people did better on one over the other.
I have the same question as Pam that hasn’t yet been answered. I take Phen while fasting the same 3 consecutive days each week (Mon-Wed). Then I eat as usual without it the remaining 4 days. Is this the correct method you’ve outlined?
By the way, I am one of the 98% you’ve described, having lost a lot of weight on Phen only to regain it all back. I’m an avid exerciser and the calorie in vs calorie out hasn’t worked for me. I tried so hard and NOTHING seemed to keep me from gaining all the weight back. I’m hopeful your method will help me with keeping weight off forever this time. But need to make sure I’m doing it right! Will you please confirm?
Hi Vonda,
I know it seems like an easy question but it’s actually not. The question supposes that I recommend phentermine as a primary weight loss therapy when the reality is, phentermine is really only a minor (and not always necessary) component. You can learn more about my therapies and what I recommend here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
I have been on phentermine for 5 months, with this month being my 6th month. I have had great success with taking them and exercising. I have lost a total of 70 pounds. My doctor said that is the most she had had a patient lose over the course of being prescribed the medication. I did practice an intermittent fasting, lower carb, and a calories in calories out approach.
My only concern is I have heard taking it longer than 6 months can be damaging and there hasn’t been many studies on taking it long term. As of lately, I have been experiencing symptoms of insomnia, heart palpitations, and nausea. I have cut back on taking it almost completely, with back draws. I have seen an increase in cravings and calories. My doctor didn’t seem too concerned and wants to keep me on it as long as I am losing such high numbers.
I’m worried to cut back and begin gaining like so many others I have heard about.
Hi Jessica,
If you start to gain your weight back it will be a few months after you stop taking it. It will start slow and just a consistent weight gain each month. If this occurs it’s from metabolic damage from appetite suppression.
I just got home from the doctor and weight in at 407 lbs… I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life
:(. My doctor suggested this and my first reaction was why am I just now hearing about this!! I am reading a few places that we should be supplementing phentermine with some potassium. Any idea why or what the recommendations are for the amount of potassium. I assume because you might lose a significant amount of water weight you might also unknowingly be dehydrated so it’s just for the purpose of electrolytes? A doctor I am not so I am open to being corrected on my thought process :). Just so I am clear again on this, you recommend taking it 2-3 days a week where you are also IF’ing. What would we do on the non-phentermine days just watch our intake? I have done IF to include OMAD (one meal a day) numerous times but I have a big problem with stopping eating. So even though I was fasting I’d wipe out the good work.
Also, exercise my plan is to do lifting 3 days a week would I be smart to make lift days non-phentermine days or will it give me the kick I need.
Thanks for your response I have the prescription filled and I’m just sitting here looking at it and doing all the research I can.
Like everything you say is the same. Like we will all gain it back. Wow, thanks… You’re a good dr. way to shut anyone down. Your comments will make anyone depressed.
Hi Tracie,
I’m not trying to make anyone depressed but I also feel that I need to provide accurate information. The problem here is the mentality that so many people who come to this page have when it comes to weight loss. They are fundamentally looking at it incorrectly which is leading them down the wrong path. This article is really just the beginning and I would recommend anyone reading this to check out my other articles which help explain why this mentality is the problem: https://www.restartmed.com/category/weight-loss/
I am not sure why you are telling everyone that they will without a doubt gain weight after taking phen? That is simply not true. I understand that is your opinion on what you have seen but you would leave many people disappointed. Why would anyone want to take that? It’s all about learning how to eat while you are on it. I’m confused- it sounds like you give no hood to so many people!
Hi Lisa,
It’s not just what I’ve seen, it’s based on data. The success of losing weight and keeping it off is less than 1% when using caloric restriction. The entire point of this article is to help people understand this so that they use phentermine the right way.
You are certainly welcome to try whatever you want, I’m just trying to prevent people from experiencing weight gain and metabolic damage by using phentermine incorrectly.
Your assertion that it’s about learning what to eat while taking it is incorrect. If it’s suppressing your appetite and you stop taking it and your appetite comes back you will regain the weight that you lost 99% of the time.
Hello, I’ve been using phentermine for longer than I care to admit. One thing I know about this medication is that it works when I do, in other words, when I’m serious about weightloss, it definately helps but if I’m just taking it for energy, I can eat alot while taking it. Junk food/sugar cravings aren’t the same as hunger and I think that has something to do with it if that makes sense. I’ve also noticed that different brands or forms act differently. Gelcaps are weaker than capsules of the same strength and some forms don’t work at all if you eat before or within an hour of taking it. I feel normal on phentermine, no side effects but I feel sluggish without it. I was treated for hyperthyroidism over 20 years ago (it’s now normal, not slow) so maybe I had just been so accustomed to hyperthyroidism and that’s why phentermine just makes me feel normal-still helps with weightloss though when I’m committed.
Hi Tammila,
Your body can develop a tolerance to phentermine which is probably what is happening here. The more you use it the less effective it becomes and the higher the dosage you need.
Dr. Westin,
My name is Jimmy, 5’11” 46 yrs old used to be athletic, was 369 lbs on Jan 5th this year 2018 & now 290 lbs as of Aug 1st – lost 81 lbs so far & at least 60 lbs to go to my target! For me, this is a disciplined behavior. I do take Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism bordering T3-T4 & took that months before starting my diet plan. When starting Phent., I also started the CMWL shake & Food bar program. I drank 3 shakes & ate 1 bar for 3 days over the first weekend (that was 4 per day, each having 25%daily nutritional value including protein), combined with the Phent helped prepare me mentally & physically for discipline & routine. Then I started eating the SmartOnes or Healthier frozen or prepared dinners(lowest sodium I could find) only for lunch that had some veggies & little carbs & protein, yet still drink my shakes in the morning, afternoon, & eat food bar with a shake for dinner. I also saved a lot in food cost from what I had been spending! I take my Levo late at before bed with a glass of water at least 2-3hrs after eating anything cause I know vitamins & minerals may cause it not to work properly – taking on an empty stomach I believe is key, at least that’s what I’ve found best for me. In the mornings I take 2 ALIVE gumi multivitamins, an 81mg aspirin, & my doctor has me on Lisinopril (which I had already been on before my weight loss). My Doc. doubled my lisinopril from 20mg to 40mg to counteract the rise blood pressure effects of the Phent, which ended up working out just right for me. After losing 60lbs in 4 mths, I found myself eating more regular food & eating at night, & then I plateaued, gaining 3 lbs. After a serious discussion with my Doc, he prescribed Topiramate to work as a catalyst with Phent & now I’m back to my discipline of vitamins as soon as I get up (5am), prepare my mind, spirit, & body for the day (I’m a bi-vocational minister & insurance broker), 1cup coffee in the morning with food bar, then take most meds at 7 am; at 10am drink health shake & take Topiramate & Phent; 12noon eat small lunch of SmartOnes dinner or 6″ Subway club sandwich with lots of veggies; 3pm another shake; & 6pm a shake & food bar, OR a very light supper that has some form of green veggies, or salad with vinegarette dressing. Now, I’ve stumbled on to what you are talking about when you said to fast a few days a week using Phent on those & eat moderate (reasonably) those other days in between. Some days I’ve found myself so busy that I’ve forgot to eat because I just wasn’t hungry & when I was drinking just shakes, my mind was trained that was all I needed nutritionally anyways, so I didn’t eat any regular food. On those days, however, I went to bed feeling skinny ( if that makes sense). Those are the days I was more sensitive to my clothes being loose, my rings loose, my feet freezing cold at night in bed, & my hand being cold. My Doc & his wife who’s also a nutritionist said that was because of lack of calories, so he said put some low-fat milk in my powered mix shakes to vamp up my calories & eat more selective carbs in moderation. ANYWAYS, this past month, I’ve been more physically active, found myself eating a little more, but spread out, more energetic & active, having lowest recorded blood pressure ever on my medical records (124/83) & lost another 10lbs! At 290 I feel & agile like I’m 200, but I still can’t dunk a basketball like I used to 🙁 This is a goal of mine when I get back down to my weight goal. My Doc is now recommending me to do some light to moderated weight training, but no cardio at this time. He doesn’t want me to over-do & loose more rapidly than I already have. With increasing milk in my shakes, adding more protein & carbs to my diet, & me wanting to get toned again, he said weight training & muscle stretching exercises would be best for now until I my body got used to the routine in a few months, then as I get closer to my goal, I would get winged off the Topir & Phent & may reduce my Lisinopril as ad in cardio exercise mixed with weight training & stick to my food plan of shakes, bars, fruits & nuts, small portions of healthy foods during day, & greens at night.
Any suggestions & recommendations are welcomed that I need to discuss with my doctor. Thanks!
Dr Westin,
I am 41 yrs old …I am a full time mom ..on my feet all day…was detected with Hashimoto’s after my second child was born 11yrs back. I have been regularly taking my thyroid medication all these years .And continued to gain weight ..from 135lbs to 190 lbs . I have been taking Phentermine for about 3yrs now ..but still continue to put on weight . The Only difference i notice is my energy level is better when i take it. But recently i am experiencing tremendous hair loss, along with weight put on around my stomach hips thighs ..my legs feel swollen most of the time ..Also due to constipation problems ..now i have hemorrhoids issue as well ..I feel lost ..Can i Ever feel better again ..I am a vegan (that complicates my situation even more).Do you recommend continuing Phentermine .? Is there any other Solution to my problem ? I spoke to my doctor several times about my weight and hair ..but didn’t seem to help at all
Just want to feel like i was before ..
Do you have a specific regimen that i could follow to feel better ?
thanks !
You should read new profound studies of taking Phen. long term. They tested people for a year – no bad health side effects…
Hi Valarie,
The cardiovascular side effects of Phentermine use wouldn’t be seen for several years. But even if it is safe to use on a daily basis for years, it doesn’t really matter because it’s not a way to maintain weight loss which is what most people want to use it for. Chronically suppressing your appetite for several years is a recipe for severe metabolic damage.
I took Phentermine with diet and exercise and lost 83 pounds. Yes, it does work. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism years before taking this medication. I was and currently, am eating The Paleo Way. Doctor Westin Childs-You helped me lose the last stubborn pounds by giving advice-fast 2 days while taking Phentermine along with diet and exercise. It’s been two months since completing my diet now time to maintain.
How can I buy Phentermine and be sure it is the FDA approved product?
Hi Dr. Childs,
I was prescribed Phentermine by a weight loss doctor and took it consistently for about 36 months. My weight loss doctor told me that some people stay on it forever and that’s okay. At the end of the 36 months I had lost 50 pounds, but I was volatile, emotional and not eating very much most days so I lost all the focus related benefits and was honestly just a mess. I’ve been off phentermine for 8 months or so, and have gained all the weight back and a little more. I definitely know I damaged my metabolism as I don’t eat excessively and can put on 10 pounds in 10 days and struggle not to do so most days. It also affected my hormones as I suffered from hair loss that still hasn’t recovered. My question is whether your intermittent fasting 2-3 X per week solution with Phentermine can help repair metabolic damage if I’m eating healthy and consistently (which I didn’t do before.) Or, do you think I need to explore other weight loss medication options? I’m 36 and now back at a 40 BMI so I need to get some weight off for my health. Appreciate your guidance.
Hi Margo,
Healing a damaged metabolism can take many years and requires a different approach. Using IF fasting + phentermine can potentially be helpful but it’s not high on the list of priorities.
Hi Dr. Westin,
I am 67 years old and weigh 181 lbs.
I used Phentermine 4 years ago when I was a little heavier, to lose weight for our daughters wedding in London. We were 63 years old at the time.
My husband was on the weight loss program with me though he did not use phentermine or any other type of drug. He just exercised and ate healthy.
We both lost about 25 lbs. in 4 months. We both exercised and pretty much stayed away from carbs and sugar. Our diet consisted of broiled chicken, salad, boiled eggs, water and diet drinks (him cuz I do not like diet drinks).
We did very well. However, coming back to Connecticut brought us back to reality. We both started gaining the weight back again; mostly because we were stressed out about ridiculous reasons, such as my daughter (who we spent $15,000 on wedding gift and flying back and forth from London and Paris), did things that brought us down to the dumps; (1) she did not have her dad do a toast for her wedding. She had all her friends do them. (2) She did not allow me as a singer, to sing a wedding song for her that I had written.
That in and of itself ticked us off and made us think about what a self-centered woman she is and “how could she do that to us”.
We are over it now…. it’s been 4.5 years.
Now we are back on a weight loss dream. He is exercising every day, eating right, and doing all the right things.
I am exercising, quit drinking alcohol, and just started on Phentermine today. So far so good. It does take my total appetite away and I don’t feel any side affects. It does make you a little energetic but I need that anyway at my age.
I will let you know if I stop, when I stop, and why.
Hope this helps!
Be blessed!
Hi Mary,
All comments are sent to moderation before they are approved. Your comment was never deleted 🙂
Dr. Childs
I am a 71 yr old woman and I took Phentermine several months ago and experienced very little weight loss. I started taking it again about a wk ago and the only thing I’m experiencing is a very dry mouth. My goal would be to lose 15#. I exercise 3Xs a wk and am eating healthy but seems my weight just doesn’t want to leave! I’m going to try your suggestion and take maybe 3Xs a wk. I wondered if Phentermine stopped being effective after a period of time and it seems as tho it does.
Hi Nancy,
Your weight is probably more related to your hormones than anything else. I don’t think it’s a good idea to use a stimulant in someone your age due to its effects on cardiovascular function, especially if it isn’t working.
I started taking Phentermine in April 2019. I go to a nutrition/weight loss center (CoreLife) since July 2018. After trying for9 months to lose weight by conventional means with NO success, I finally decided to try Phentermine. Again, I tried the eating less, eating better – low carb, more veggies, etc., exercise (trainer) from the start with no success. After starting the Phentermine I’ve gone from 268 lbs to my current weight of 218. I am perfectly happy to lose 1-2 lbs a week. Slow and steady wins the race. Also, My blood pressure is perfect, my BMI dropped from 38 to 32, and most importantly… I was taken off Diabetes meds!
I fully intend to gradually stop the Phent. but for now, I’m happy with the results. I am being followed by an Endocrinologist and Nephrologist who know I’m on this and far, so good. I consider myself a Phentermine success story!
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for sharing! Just so you are aware, though, it’s not until you stop the phentermine do you regain the weight (which is typical of most people who use it). I don’t deny that it causes weight loss while you use it but what I’m saying here is that 99% of people regain that weight once they stop taking it usually within 6-9 months.
Hi Dr. Child’s,
I’ve been taking phentermine for a little over 2 months and I’m so glad to run across your article bc I’ve been concerned about what will happen after I finish this last month of meds. I lost 12 lbs. the first month and 7 lbs. the second, so it has helped me. I’m eating 1200 calories, I’m mindful of what I eat, and I log everything I eat. The only issue is I haven’t started an exercise routine. I have a lot of weight to lose and I’m now motivated to lose it. I want to cut the remaining pills in half and only take 1/2 pill on Saturdays, Sundays, and maybe Wednesdays. Is this too much of a drop in the dosage?
Hi K-Marie,
Unfortunately, some of the metabolic damage might already be done if you’ve been doing this for 2 months straight. You can switch to the method described but it’s obviously better to start with it (as opposed to switching to it). So you may experience some weight gain in the process.
Thanks for your response Dr. Childs. Please know that I didn’t put an apostrophe in your name, it was auto correct, but I still should’ve proofread.
I’m going to read your articles and figure out the best strategy for me to continue to lose weight. I must keep losing! Gaining is not an option. Thank you so much for all of the information you’ve shared!
No problem 🙂
I’m 62 y/o woman with Fibromyalgia at least since 1979. My medical work ups were always normal, so I went undiagnosed for 10 years, and barely managed until in 2013 when a Rheumatologist Rx’d Tramadol.
I had a 14 year improvement in pain and reduction of Migraines after that visit. Every day was no longer a miserable marathon. I should mention I worked full time all my life and just retired.
Weight gain comes when I have particularly bad Fibro episodes, which can last for years. I am in another seemingly endless bad spell again, which began when I broke tiny bones in my foot. I couldn’t swim or bike ride, walk…but I had very physical work to keep up. Still I gained 50 lbs from inactivity and menopause, I’m guessing.
I began taking 1/2 of the 37.5mg tab of Phentermine 5 months ago.
Anxiety has been an issue for me previous to Phentermine, but by cutting caffeine WAY down I can tolerate the med 4 days a week. Almost nothing happened.
Maybe I lost 5 pounds. My Doctor recommended I take a full tab.
I happened to remember reading about Intermittent Fasting, so I went with this in addition to Phentermine 37.5mg/day. Very much as your recommendation!
Within 8 weeks I had lost 25 lbs.
I fasted 18 hours 4 days a week and took the med those days as well.
Breaking the fast I tried to low carb.
I have questions for you…
First, I have just read about properly taking Phentermine, depending on whether it is a tablet, (slow release obviously would not be recommended) for allowing the tablet to dissolve on your tongue followed by water on an empty stomach. Yuk! It is bitter!
Have you an opinion on this?
Second, t3 and Fibromyalgia? You mention this in one of your references articles here. I dare to dream of getting off Tramadol, which is now classified as “opioid”,
creating a nightmare for me in that now I HAVE to go to Pain Mgmt.
Were you suggesting possible relief from Fibro in T3 therapy?
So many years I spent looking for a diagnosis, more years for a plan of treatment that helped and now I am considered a “drug addict”, who needs to pay for “testing” 4x a year or whatever they decide. I want to be free of this stigma.
I appreciate you have nailed the method for weight loss that can last here in this article. I know it works, because I stopped the Phentermine, but continued the
Intermittent Fasting 4 days a week, and did not gain the weight back. This is good for me to keep the amount of medication I need for pain relief to a minimum, and to possibly try to discontinue altogether someday.
Hi Bobbie,
Yes, T3 can be used to help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia in some cases. You can learn more here: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism-chronic-pain/
Hi, I’ve just started taking duromine again. I’ve taken it in the past but always gave up using it and true to form gained back all of the weight I had lost.
I’ve been prescribed 3 repeats and wanted to do it properly this time. I’m on a meal plan (company called equalution) where they have me on 2000 calories in order to be consistent and lose the weight over a longer period of time. Now that I’m starting duromine would you suggest this is too many calories? I’m also trying to wrap my head around your article. Is it best to take only 3x a week? As it is still in the system? Thanks so much.
Hello,
I want to be sure that I’m doing things properly to maximize my possible weight loss. I’ve never followed a low calorie diet, nor gone to the gym before. I just started using adipex a month ago and with the diet changes (healthier choices, no breads/pasta/rice, no liquid calories kinda thing), plus going to the gym on the weekends I managed to lose roughly 18 pounds.
If I continue to maintain a 1,200 calorie restriction (following the above guidelines), drinking 64oz of water per day, and routine exercise on weekends/days, will I continue to be successful? Or, if staying to the above, is the weight likely to come back after all is said and done? I would continue to eat right/go to the gym once off of it, but I don’t want to put all this effort into losing 30+ pounds just to gain it all back.
Thank you!
Hi Sage,
There is a 99% chance the weight will come back.
I have been currently on phentermine for 2 to 2 and half months, finishing up my last 30 days by the end of December. I only had negative side effects the first 2 days of jitters and not sleeping from my body needing to move. I currently have lost a total of 32 pounds. My appetite has decreased. I have days where I eat the right amount of calories and those where I’m under 800. I have cut out pop and alcohol is extremely limited compared to prior. I still have yet to get the energy boost to workout as I’m a preschool teacher and have my own 2 little ones. Before phentermine I was fatigued falling asleep all the time gaining weight. On it I’m at least mobile all day and most of the night. I’m just nervous about when I need to stop taking it and going back to where I was before.
Hi Teri,
If you stop taking it you will most likely gain your weight back but it’s not a safe medication to take long-term. That is the catch 22 with this medication and why I wrote this article to try and help prevent people from falling into that trap.
Unfortunately, it’s just not possible to eat 800 calories daily forever and eventually you will have to increase those calories.
This is very inspiring! I just started phen almost two weeks ago, and it has very little affect on me. It doesn’t improve my energy at all, and half the time doesn’t affect my excessive appetite. WHY IS THAT? I’m on the highest does and taking it in the morning on an empty stomach… Anyways, I will definitely switch my approach and do it your way! I’m very excited to try it! I’ve been devastated as this is my last resort. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Hi Olivia,
Unfortunately, medications don’t always work as intended (this applies to over the counter supplements as well). So you could be in the small minority of people in whom Phentermine doesn’t have any effect (positive or negative). It could also be a dosing issue (perhaps you are a super metabolizer) or something unrelated (medication or supplement interference with absorption/utilization).
Hi. Can you comment on PhenterPro SR, one of many phentermine OTC substitutes? I just started trying it but feel no effects at all. Thank you.
Hi Valerie,
I’m not familiar with these products so I can’t comment. But if people are using them as if they are phentermine then they are not going to work long-term anyway.
Hi Dr Childs,
I recently went off Phentermine after having been on it for 3.5 months. I lost a couple of pounds, nothing crazy. My diet and exercise helped most though. I feel like I’m in healthier, stronger shape. I did do intermittent fasting along with it for 16:8. I am scared that now I’m off of it, I will gain even extra weight back. My question for you is does it make sense for me to try this 2x week method on Phentermine that you discuss in the article? If so, when is a good time to start that, since I just stopped taking it 2 weeks ago? I am 6’2”, 235lbs and I am hypothyroid. My goal weight is 190lbs. Thank you for any advice you have on this.
Hi Jen,
It’s hard to say because it depends on so many variables. It’s possible it could help, assuming you didn’t restrict your calories too much and don’t have much metabolic damage.
I was diagnosed with Hasimoto Thyroiditis 5 years ago. The physician told me that it was part of my auto immune disease Scleroderma. Since then I have been on 4 thyroid medications. Currently I am using Nature Thyroid and Cytomel this is the only medication combination that seems to work for me. But after years of searching for the right medications I too have put on 50+ pounds.
It is very disheartening and I was at the end of my rope, very depressed. I have never been overweight and always tried to maintain my weight through out the years before my Hasimoto.
I told my physician that I was going to start intermittent fast and that my eating would be smaller portions and only during the times of 10 am to 6 pm. He suggested putting me on the Phentermine 37.5 mg.
I haven’t had any of the side effects mentioned for this medication other than dry mouth. After taking it for 3 months I have lost 22 pounds. My worries are once I stop taking the medication it will all come back. You mention that this is not a long term medication. Would you suggest intermit for this medication. Such as taking it 3 out of 7 days to maintain the weight goal and the energy level?
Any suggestions would be helpful. As I can’t go back to being more heavier than before I started this medication. My energy level is up and I have a new found confidence in myself.
I am so happy I ran across this article! I have used phentermine before for weight loss of 20 pounds, but just like you said it was back within a year. Now,I understand why. I have been taking it again for about a month, I am down 6 pounds, but am concerned about the rebound effect. I tried intermittent fasting before but not together with the phentermine. I am going to change my routine to your method and hopefully I will be able to lose my goal of 12 more pounds and be able to sustain the loss this time.
Hello there! About 2 years ago, I was prescribed phentermine (37.5) & lost about 35 pounds. The problem though was that I wasn’t sustaining any excersize, & I was eating very little. When I got off the medication after 3 months I ended up gaining 45 pounds back.
*Jump to today!*
A month before I was prescribed phentermine, I changed basically everything about my daily routine. I stopped drinking alcohol completely. Dropped all liquids with calories (except green tea) – starting meal prepping & calorie counting based off my TDEE. I lost 11 pounds (& -6 inches all around) in 4 weeks WITHOUT phentermine! Now – I wanted to try phentermine again, with correct diet & exercising 6 days a week like I was before i started the medication. – I just started back up on it with 37.5 MG again & wanted your opinion on if the taking it 2-3 times a week applies to someone who is active & eating correctly also? Thank you so much!
I used this almost three years ago and ha no idea it was short term. I just kept going in to doctor an taking it. They sent me home with the pills. Then all of the sudden the shape of the pill changed and I had to get it filled at the pharmacy now. Once I did his the first time I took it I felt sick and then crashed about 4-5 hours after taking it. I had to stop it. I haven’t taken it in two full years. Wanted to start again with half a pill every other day. I like the idea of using it to fast. How do I know if my metabolism was greatly affected? Any other advice would be so helpful!
I am 52 years old and used to workout on a treadmill 3 is not four times a week extreme incline. I have since been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I have severe TMJ in my jaw and migraines quite frequently and I have nerve pain in my left leg. Thus I have not been even on my treadmill. I eat as healthy as you possibly could, and I can’t drop any weight. I was prescribed 30 mg capsules they are not breakable I need to lose 240 pounds that all the medications that they prescribed put on me. I have stopped taking all those medications because there are too many side effects. I deal with the pain and handle it with natural products the best I can. But I need to pain in my back and in my knees subsided and the depression isn’t getting any better with this much weight. So are you suggesting that it’s 51 years old with practically no metabolism because I have no hormones that instead of taking this once every morning I should take it two mornings in a row, and on those days fast, meaning not eating at all. Then for the other four days just eat as healthy as possible keeping your calorie can take down and then start over again the next week and only have two more Phentermine or should you do one Phentermine at the beginning of the week and one in the middle of the week and fast on both of those days? I need to lose 40 lb so I will do a minimal amount of work out on a treadmill flat that I can possibly do but I want to take this drug as efficiently as possible to gain the most use out of it. Based on my conditions. I can only work out minimum and my diet is extremely healthy. Fish spinach yogurt, yogurt chicks with blackberries raspberries blueberries Omega threes in my shake. I don’t overeat sometimes I undereat. Tell me the best way to handle the prescription I have to gain the most use out of it because I need to lose 40 lb. Again I’m 51 and I’m taking just as of yesterday and today 30 mg capsules of Phentermine
I just made a note for you but I have to say I’m severely disappointed. If this is nothing more than appetite suppressant it’s not going to help me at all. I don’t overeat. I thought this was a fat burning prescription medication
Hi April,
Phentermine is mostly an appetite suppressant but it also has a slight metabolic boosting effect (emphasis on slight).
So I have been taking phentermine for a week come tomorrow, I am 26 years old, with 2 young children my recent one was almost 5 months ago. Before having kids I weighed 145 and now I’m at a whopping 246 (when I started). I want this medication to work. I have severe sleep apnea, so I already barely get sleep, plus adding a baby in the mix and now meds that make it easy to not have a ton of sleep. I try to eat 1 to 2 meals daily, but it doesnt always happen. I’ve been taking it daily, I’m on 30 mg instead of the highest dosage. I also am always on the go with the 2 kids, and about 30 minutes every morning of stretching and exercise. What would you recommend, as far as keeping it off when my metabolism doesn’t work correctly when I sleep? Any advice helps. Thanks!
Hello,
I am on a combination T4/T3 medication and I was prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist. I’ve always wanted to do a water fast but my appetite gets the best of me. With the help of this appetite suppressant is it safe to water fast while on phentermine? Thanks Dr Westin Child’s I have learned a lot!
Hi Gia,
Yes, it’s safe provided you don’t do it for too long.
Hello,
I’ve just started taking Phentermine today, as I had an old bottle from last year. In, 2012 I weighed 180/185 lbs, since then I had breast cancer, in 2012, went down to 150, of course from chemo … long story short, 2020 now, I’ve been staying around 235/240 lbs. I’ve been taken Tamoxifen, since 2013, due to my breast cancer… Outside of Tamoxifien, which is definitely a steriod as you know, food has been my comfort. I do understand why I need to take the tamoxifen, but now, I’m having trouble loosing weight. I just want to be at my old weight, even though, it was entirely the best weight. I’m currently 5’4, and weight 235/240t..
I have started using the treadmill, and trying to ease up on the food. If I was to try to loose weight, outside of exercising, walking and cutting back…. You’re suggestion of using the Phen… 3 times a week, would that help me loose weight and to maintain. it. I’m not trying to do the fasting. I know I need to cut back, change eating habits, and also exercise. I just need something to assist me, in my journey.
I have narcolepsy and cataplexy. I take the generic adderall 30mg tabs, 2 of them at once in the morning every day and then I take my fluoxetine 40mg cap along with it. I just started taking Phentermine 37.5mg. The first few days I only took half to see how I would tolerate it. After that I have been taking daily. It doesn’t seem to help at all! It doesn’t make me lose my appetite, it doesn’t give me energy.
Dr. Childs
I just read this so I can help my wife lose weight. She asked me to, I happen to love her the way she is, but she is always depressed about her weight.
She wants to do the episodic fasting,, but there are a few problems I found reading this. Honestly about 4 of your checklist items are against her. She doesn’t sleep well, has Hashimoto’s and anxiety and stress problems and is considerably over the age of fifty (62). The doctor already prescribed them to her and the first go around she wasn’t that happy with the results as you mentioned some people are not.
I want to ask you if there is anything else out there that you might find more suitable for her? Thank you very much Timothy Brown, Pueblo Colorado…..
Hi!
I used phentermine as indicated (a whole pill) for like 10 days last Summer and it was too much to me so I cut it in half and I was fine.
It definitely helps my metabolism to wake up after menopause when I went from being 110-112 pounds to be 130.
I exercise at least 3 times a week, sometimes more, mostly back then was power walking and calisthenics.
I lost around 10 pounds and I eat mostly keto.
Now I am ready to do another round of half a pill but following your advice Dr. Childs, although I already do some kind of intermittent fasting but I want to get more serious about it as I just pulled out my Summer clothes and many things that last Summer didn’t fit me now do! again! I am so happy that I feel this gave me the push I need to lose the other 10 pounds I want to.
Still eating clean and doing spinning, calisthenics and rolling.
Plus taking as always many vitamins and minerals and using my progesterone bio-identical cream.
This pandemic time gave me lots of peace and I think that also helps.
Hi Dr. Westin!
This article was actually VERY helpful! I am definitely going to be practicing this method. I just started phentermine 2 weeks ago after have been working out 6 days a week for 2 months now. I have lost 14-15 pounds, but noticed I keep fluctuating between 2-3 pounds every couple of weeks. I understand it could be a multitude of things (muscle,water, etc.), but I have done alternate day fasting before starting phentermine, and noticed the pounds fell off quicker. Given a 7 day week, when do you think is the best time to split up these episodic calorie resurrections? I am thinking personally that this would work better for me on Tuesday and Thursday’s. Can I also workout these days?
Two years ago I used Phentermine in the manner you describe. I had three months prescribed, but used it 3 or 4 out of 7 days, combined with intermittent fasting. I’m late 40’s. I lost 70 pounds. In the remaining year and a half, I have regained 5 pounds. I’m gearing up to do another period of weight loss to get down to my ideal weight – I have 25 pounds to lose.
I don’t know what is considered “long term” weight loss, but I feel like I am doing well. It helped me lose the weight. It wasn’t “easy” to lose it, it wasn’t insurmountable either. I find that maintaining my weight off of phentermine requires about the same level of effort as losing the weight on phentermine did.
It feels sustainable.
Hi Jen,
If you have kept your weight off for more than a year then you did it the right way.
Can you tell me what your fasting looks like? Is it no food? A certain calorie intake? And how long? All day?
Please explain it to me like I’m 5
Hi Dr. Westin,
Thanks for posting all of this great information and collective experience regarding Phentermine. In my experience using this weight loss medication it worked very well for me both in short and long term. It is important to note that I was medically managed with an inter disciplinary team . There was the cardiologist , nutritionist, personal trainer and chiropractor whom I was seeing for maintenance care. Interestingly I did follow the sustainable diet plan and within 8 months I lost 65 pounds , nutritionist monitored by food plan and developed a nutrition plan based off of my current lab Test results . I worked out with the personal trainer twice a week for the first 4 months and followed the personal training plan thereafter , and I continued my physical routine 3 additional days per week for a total of 5 days week exercise. The cardiologist Gradually decreased my dosage of phentermine over a 6 month period and when I was completely weened off I repeated follow up visits for the first 3 months. Unfortunately I had a physical shortly thereafter. I did not gain weight after being off the medicine . It was 2 years after the weight loss when I gained back and it was due to my prolonged immobility , Stress and poor nutrition and damage to my metabolism post injury. I had acute Chronic pain and this affected my appetite. I did not eat for days at a time and this went on for several months when I had Episodes chronic pain. While I did receive physical therapy & pain management my nutrition was compromised. To that end, phentermime did work as I expected. To realign my health and obtain a healthy weight I’ve restarted my weight loss plan and within the first 2 weeks I lost 13 pounds on Phentermine, engaged with the nutritionist and exercise at least 4 days week. I am grateful for the expertise and advice you’ve shared here to help those seeking to improve their overall health!
I have been taking Phentermine for 11.5 weeks with the guideline to keep calorie intake at 1100 a day through 6 mini meals throughout the day. I have not managed the 6 mini meals well but I generally tend to keep calories 1100 or below most days (try not to focus too much on it and just reduce portion sizes if possible) I have lost 40 lbs since starting this medication so far and still seem to be losing a few lbs a week. First month lost about 5 lbs a week, second month was between 4 and 5 lbs a week and now im around 2-3lbs a week. I understand this will continue to decrease and am worried will not make it to goal weight as desired. My question is, since this seems to be working better for me than you or most other people described, could it be due to the fact that I on average weighed around 140 most of my life until having 2 kids back to back and then gallbladder removed and gained a ton of weight and got to 214 before I started phentermine. No amount of diet or exercise worked to lose weight until now. Not sure how to go about making sure this weight stays off since you mentioned that already taking it may make your methods not work?
Dr. Childs,
I ordered you Metabolic reset. Can I combine LDN and phentermine and if so, how would I take the LDN if I was taking the phentermine only on my fasting days? I am working with a provider who is open minded and I would appreciate knowing your position on the two meds together.
I appreciate the clarification.
Hi April,
LDN would be taken daily and phentermine would only be taken on your fasting days. There is a video in the guide specifically on LDN so make sure you watch that! The video outlines some more important information on how to use it.
I’ve been on Adipex-P for less than a month (today makes 22 days) and lost 17 pounds (8/14/20 to 9/5/20) ( i got weighed 8days ago so I may have lost a few more pounds at least I hope) with a 1200 calorie diet and also I was told by a weightloss surgeon (his scale thing as his office did a full work up of my water in my body, Size of each arm and leg) and It said I burn over 2073 calories a day and that 1200 calorie diet will make it like a calorie deficet. I exercise at least 4 days a week 30 minutes a day. My heart and blood pressure are fine. I don’t feel jittery on Adipex-p like i did in the past. I eat under 1200 most days. I am also a type 2 diabetic, with PCOS, High Blood pressure, High Cholesterol, and other things, and On a lot of medications. I am happy with the weight I am losing but i do need more energy or encouragement!
Hi Heather,
Make sure you read this article in full. If you lose weight with adipex with a calorie deficit (as you are), the weight will almost always come back once you go off of it.