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| Drug
Information for: benzphetamine |
Click the
Links below for more Information on Warnings, Side
Effects, Pharmacology, Lactation and Pregnancy.
|
| Leaflet
| Warnings | Side
Effects |
| Pharmacology
| Lactation |
Pregnancy |
| benzphetamine |
|
|
|
| Pronunciation:
benz FET ah meen Brand:
Didrex
| What
is the most important
information I should know
about benzphetamine? |
 |
• |
Use
caution when driving,
operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous
activities. Benzphetamine
may cause dizziness,
blurred vision, or
restlessness, and it may
hide the symptoms of
extreme tiredness. If you
experience these effects,
avoid hazardous
activities. |
 |
• |
Benzphetamine
is habit forming. You can
become physically and
psychologically dependent
on this medication, and
withdrawal effects may
occur if you stop taking
it suddenly after several
weeks of continuous use.
Talk to your doctor about
stopping this medication
gradually. |
|
• |
Benzphetamine
is a sympathomimetic
amine, which is similar to
an amphetamine. It is also
known as an
"anorectic" or
"anorexigenic"
drug. Benzphetamine
stimulates your central
nervous system (nerves and
brain), which increases
your heart rate and blood
pressure and decreases
your appetite. |
|
• |
Benzphetamine
is used as a short-term
supplement to diet and
exercise in the treatment
of obesity. |
|
• |
Benzphetamine
may also be used for
purposes other than those
listed in this medication
guide. |
| Who
should not take
benzphetamine? |
 |
• |
You
cannot take benzphetamine
if you |
|
· |
have
heart disease or high
blood pressure; |
|
· |
have
arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the
arteries); |
|
· |
have
taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate),
or phenelzine (Nardil) in
the last 14 days; or |
|
· |
have
a history of drug or
alcohol abuse. |
|
• |
Before
taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you
have |
|
· |
problems
with your thyroid, |
|
· |
epilepsy
or another seizure
disorder, or |
|
• |
You
may not be able to take
benzphetamine, or you may
require a lower dose or
special monitoring during
treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed
above. |
 |
• |
Do
not take benzphetamine if
you are pregnant.
Benzphetamine is in the
FDA pregnancy category X.
This means that
benzphetamine will cause
birth defects in an unborn
baby. |
 |
• |
It
is not known whether
benzphetamine passes into
breast milk. Do not take
benzphetamine without
first talking to your
doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
| How
should I take
benzphetamine? |
|
• |
Take
benzphetamine exactly as
directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand
these directions, ask your
pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to
you. |
 |
• |
Take
each dose with a full
glass of water. |
 |
• |
Benzphetamine
is usually taken one to
three times a day, before
meals, on an empty
stomach. Follow your
doctor's instructions. |
|
• |
Do
not take benzphetamine in
the evening because it may
cause insomnia. |
|
• |
Never
take more of this
medication than is
prescribed for you. Too
much benzphetamine could
be very dangerous to your
health. |
 |
• |
Store
benzphetamine at room
temperature away from
moisture and heat. |
| What
happens if I miss a dose? |
|
• |
Take
the missed dose as soon as
you remember. However, if
it is almost time for your
next dose or if it is
already evening, skip the
missed dose and take only
your next regularly
scheduled dose. A dose
taken too late in the day
will cause insomnia. Do
not take a double dose
of this medication. |
| What
happens if I overdose? |
 |
• |
Seek
emergency medical
attention. |
|
• |
Symptoms
of a benzphetamine
overdose include
restlessness, tremor,
rapid breathing,
confusion, hallucinations,
panic, aggressiveness,
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, an irregular
heartbeat, and seizures. |
| What
should I avoid while
taking benzphetamine? |
|
• |
Use
caution when driving,
operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous
activities. Benzphetamine
may cause dizziness,
blurred vision, or
restlessness, and it may
hide the symptoms of
extreme tiredness. If you
experience these effects,
avoid hazardous
activities. |
|
• |
Do
not take benzphetamine
late in the day. A dose
taken too late in the day
can cause insomnia. |
| What
are the possible side
effects of benzphetamine? |
|
• |
If
you experience any of the
following serious side
effects, stop taking
benzphetamine and seek
emergency medical
attention: |
|
· |
an
allergic reaction
(difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or
hives); |
|
· |
an
irregular heartbeat or
very high blood pressure
(severe headache, blurred
vision); or |
|
· |
hallucinations,
abnormal behavior, or
confusion. |
|
• |
Other,
less serious side effects
may be more likely to
occur. Continue to take
benzphetamine and talk to
your doctor if you
experience |
|
· |
restlessness
or tremor, |
|
· |
dry
mouth or an unpleasant
taste in your mouth, |
|
· |
diarrhea
or constipation, or |
|
· |
impotence
or changes in your sex
drive. |
|
• |
Benzphetamine
is habit forming. You can
become physically and
psychologically dependent
on this medication, and
withdrawal effects may
occur if you stop taking
it suddenly after several
weeks of continuous use.
Talk to your doctor about
stopping this medication
gradually. |
|
• |
Side
effects other than those
listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that
seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
| What
other drugs will affect
benzphetamine? |
|
• |
You
cannot take benzphetamine
if you have taken a
monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate),
or phenelzine (Nardil) in
the last 14 days. |
|
• |
Changes
in insulin and other
diabetes drug therapies
may be necessary during
treatment with
benzphetamine. |
|
• |
Benzphetamine
may reduce the effects of
guanethidine (Ismelin).
This could lead to an
increase in blood
pressure. Tell your doctor
if you are taking
guanethidine. |
|
• |
Before
taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you
are taking a tricyclic
antidepressant such as
amitriptyline (Elavil),
amoxapine (Asendin),
doxepin (Sinequan),
nortriptyline (Pamelor),
imipramine (Tofranil),
clomipramine (Anafranil),
protriptyline (Vivactil),
or desipramine (Norpramin).
These drugs may decrease
the effects of
benzphetamine. |
|
• |
Drugs
other than those listed
here may also interact
with benzphetamine. Talk
to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking
any prescription or
over-the-counter
medicines. |
| Where
can I get more
information? |
|
• |
Your
pharmacist has more
information about
benzphetamine written for
health professionals that
you may read. |
|
Remember,
keep this and all other medicines
out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with
others, and use this medication
only for the indication
prescribed.
The
information in this leaflet is not
intended to cover all possible
uses, directions, precautions,
drug interactions, or adverse
effects. If you have questions
about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
© Multum Information Services
1999. Version: 2.020. Revision
date: 4/6/99. |
|
|
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Every effort has been made to ensure
that the information provided by Multum is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no
guarantee is made to that effect. In
addition, the drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive and should
not be utilized as a reference resource
beyond the date hereof.
Multum's drug information does not
endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug
information is a reference resource
designed as supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill ,
knowledge, and judgement of healthcare
practitioners in patient care. The absence
of a warning for a given drug or drug
combination in no way should be construed
to indicate that the drug of drug
combination is safe, effective, or
appropriate for any given patient.
Multum Information Services, Inc. does
not assume any responsibility for any
aspect of healthcare administered with the
aid of information Multum provides.
Copyright 2000 Multum Information
Services, Inc. The information in
contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions,
precautions, warnings, drug interactions,
allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
you have questions about the drugs you are
taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
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