Diethylpropion (By Mouth)

Diethylpropion (dye-eth-il-PROE-pee-on)

Used for short periods as part of a diet plan to help you lose weight.

Brand Name(s):

Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to diethylpropion, other diet pills such as Fastin®, or amphetamines such as Dexedrine®. You should not use this medicine if you have problems with drug abuse, high blood pressure, heart disease, overactive thyroid, severe anxiety, or glaucoma.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
• Take the tablet 1 hour before meals. To avoid trouble sleeping, take your last dose of the day about 4 to 6 hours before bedtime (unless your doctor tells you differently).
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole - do not break, chew, or crush. To avoid trouble sleeping, take the extended-release tablet dose in the morning (unless your doctor tells you differently).

If a dose is missed:

• If you take 1 dose a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and just take your one tablet for that day.
• If you take more than 1 dose a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next usual dose, wait until then to take your medicine and skip the missed dose.
• You should not use two doses at the same time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking amantadine, amphetamines (Dexedrine®), cocaine, (Cylert®), methylphenidate (Ritalin®), other diet pills, medicine for asthma, allergies, or colds, or blood pressure medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan® or Parnate® within the past 14 days.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine while taking this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Check with your doctor before taking this medicine if you have Tourette's syndrome, depression, epilepsy (seizures), kidney disease, diabetes, or drug or alcohol abuse problems.
• Diethylpropion may be habit-forming. You may have withdrawal symptoms such as stomach pain, trembling, depressed mood, tiredness, or anxiety after you stop taking the medicine.
• If you have taken this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Talk to your doctor first.
• If the medicine does not seem to work as well after a few weeks, talk to your doctor. You should not use more of it than your doctor prescribed.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or feel "high." Be careful if you are driving a car or using machinery.
• For patients with diabetes, this medicine may change the level of sugar in your blood or urine. Tell your doctor if your tests for sugar in blood or urine change.
• Talk with your doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking diethylpropion before having any kind of surgery.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Severe headache
• Trouble breathing
• Skin rash, severe itching or hives
• Blurred vision, confusion, or hallucinations
• Unexplained fever or sore throat
• Uncontrolled body movements or seizures

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Restlessness, trembling, or nervousness
• Changes in sex drive
• Trouble sleeping or headache
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bad taste in the mouth or dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.