Can I Take Medications With Phentermine?

Can I Take Medications With Phentermine?

Here at phentermine.com, we get a lot of questions about whether it’s safe to take medications with phentermine, which can include prescribed medications, supplements, and over-the-counter remedies for everyday problems such as headaches and indigestion.

Here we explain all that you need to know about taking medications with phentermine.

Phentermine Combinations

In some cases, doctors will purposely prescribe medications with phentermine – these are known as phentermine combinations.

The intention is that this combination of phentermine and another prescription medication maximizes the potential of the phentermine and increases the possibility of effective weight loss.

One such combination is Phen-Pro, the name of the combination of phentermine and a low dose of an anti-depressant, such as Prozac or Zoloft.

The anti-depressant ingredient in Phen-Pro is not for the treatment of depression but rather is intended to help the phentermine work more effectively at promoting weight loss.

Another commonly prescribed phentermine combination is Qsymia, a combination of phentermine and topiramate, an anti-convulsant drug that can cause weight loss as a side effect.

Qsymia is the brand name for this combination.

Still, some doctors prefer to write two separate prescriptions for phentermine and topiramate, possibly to save their patients money so that their phentermine prescription is cheaper to fill.

Phentermine can also be prescribed in other drug combinations, including with other weight loss drugs such as Belviq (known as Bel-Phen), anti-diabetic drugs like Glucophage XR, with other anti-convulsants such as Zonegran, or with Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRIs) such as Wellbutrin SR.

These combinations may be prescribed in certain cases to help treat other conditions such as sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

In contrast, other combinations are intended to work together to increase the effectiveness of phentermine.

If you have been prescribed phentermine in combination with any other drug, it is important that your doctor explains to you why he or she has chosen this combination for you, what each medication does, how the two work together, and what possible interactions may arise as a result of the combination for you to know what to expect, both in terms of results and of possible side effects.

Finally, it must be stressed that these combinations are only safe if specifically prescribed by a doctor.

Even if you have individual prescriptions for both medications, without being prescribed a certain combination by a doctor who is aware of all of your medical conditions and current medications, harmful drug interactions may result from self-medicating phentermine combinations.

Taking Prescribed Medications With Phentermine

While taking phentermine, there is always the possibility that you may need to take other prescription medications at the same time for any number of health issues.

These prescription medications fall into one of four categories: medications for existing and new conditions, short-term prescriptions, and birth control.

Medications For Existing Conditions

These types of medications would be those which you may have been taking long or short-term but which you are taking at the time of being assessed for your suitability to take phentermine.

You must explain to your phentermine doctor that you are taking these medications and for how long you have been told to take them, especially if he or she is not your usual doctor or specialist.

You should only be prescribed phentermine if it is deemed safe for you to take it alongside the other medication(s) you are taking, and even then, you should be informed of any possibilities of interactions between medications and how to recognize the symptoms of these.

If you are being prescribed phentermine by a different doctor, it is also a good idea to tell any other prescribing doctors you may have that you are now taking phentermine – that way, your records with all the doctors you have contact with will be up to date so that if any problems should arise, they will all be in a better position to help you.

Medications For New Conditions

While you are taking phentermine, you may need to start taking medications for serious or long-term health problems that were not previously diagnosed.

Suppose the doctor who is prescribing this new medication is a different doctor. In that case, you must inform him or her that you are taking phentermine, as it is also crucial that you explain to your phentermine doctor about this new medication.

It may be necessary for you to stop taking phentermine if there is a possibility that the two medications may cause a dangerous interaction.

Alternatively, your phentermine prescription might be changed to a different dosage, or you may be advised to take a different weight loss medication.

Short-Term Prescriptions

Perhaps more likely than being prescribed new medications for more serious health problems is the need to take a short course of antibiotics or other short-term prescriptions while taking phentermine.

Most online sources state that phentermine does not interact with most antibiotics, but various allergy and breathing medications can cause interactions and unwanted side effects, so with this in mind; it is always crucial that you explain to your doctor that you are taking phentermine when you have prescribed any other medication, no matter how short-term it is.

In addition, it might be advisable for you to take a break from phentermine while you are taking this medication for several reasons – to avoid unwanted side effects, to ensure that your medication works effectively, and so that the effects of phentermine are not compromised.

Birth Control Pills

If you can become pregnant, it is important to use some form of birth control when taking phentermine, as it cannot be taken by pregnant women or trying to become pregnant.

Birth control pills have not been found to cause interactions with phentermine.

However, you should still ensure to inform your phentermine doctor about the contraceptive pill you are taking, as there may be a need to change your pill to balance your hormones.

Taking Supplements And Non-Prescription Medications With Phentermine

Taking Supplements And Non-Prescription Medications With Phentermine

While taking phentermine, in addition to prescribed medications, you may need to take over-the-counter (OTC) medications from time to time.

Additionally, many people choose to take additional supplements to boost health, help with the side effects of phentermine or enhance the effectiveness of phentermine.

Non-Prescription Medications

We all take the occasional pill to help with everyday ailments such as headaches or indigestion.

Still, when taking phentermine, you may be more prone to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and constipation as some of the common phentermine side effects.

Medical studies have found that drugs like aspirin will cause your urinary pH to become more acidic (meaning phentermine is excreted faster), so it is best to limit the amount of aspirin and other OTC medications you take while you are taking phentermine otherwise, you will compromise the effectiveness of phentermine.

When you are prescribed phentermine, it is a good idea to ask the doctor if he or she would recommend any specific medications for conditions like indigestion, headaches, or other pains that you may be prone to, as some may be more suitable than others when taken with phentermine.

Supplements

Supplements such as 5-HTP or vitamin B12 injections are often prescribed alongside phentermine to maximize the effects of appetite suppression and energy-boosting.

You may also prefer to take supplements, such as the multivitamin Phen Vites, to reduce other phentermine side effects such as low mood, lack of energy, and insomnia, as opposed to taking additional medications such as sleeping pills or anti-depressants.

In addition, these supplements help maximize phentermine’s effects, unlike some medications, which can cause phentermine to be excreted from the body quicker, therefore lessening the weight-loss-boosting effects.

If you feel that phentermine has stopped working or that it is not as effective as you had hoped, then you may wish to add a supplement such as Phen Caps.

Phen Caps work like phentermine by suppressing appetite and boosting energy.

Still, as Phen Caps contain different active ingredients, they are metabolized by the body differently and therefore help to boost the effectiveness of phentermine through different mechanisms in the body.

As with combining any medications, taking medications with phentermine is something that should only be done if a doctor has approved it.

Even if you have been told that it is fine to take a medication with phentermine, you should still remember to be extra vigilant about the possibility of additional side effects that may occur as a result of an interaction between the two medications, whether they have been prescribed for you or are non-prescription medications.

Are you currently taking any supplements or medications with phentermine? If so, we would love to hear from you, so please comment below!

Sally Cohen

Sally Cohen is a certified nutritionist passionate about promoting health at any size.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply to Patricia Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

100 Comments

  1. Just wondering if it’s okay to take 50mg of sertraline with 30mg of duromine ? Or if anyone has done it before and had no crazy effects

    1. Hi Em! Always check with your doctor & pharmacist before combining phentermine (duromine) with any other medications or supplements. He or she can best determine the advisability of combining these substances in your specific case.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

    1. Hi Andrea! It’s common to combine phentermine with birth control pills and metformin, but these medications can interact so always consult with your doctor and pharmacist before starting any phentermine combination. When you speak to your doctor about phentermine, make sure to tell him or her about all the medications you’re currently taking and their dosages. Best wishes!
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  2. Will taking 3 10mg Narcos a day decrease the effectiveness of 1 37.5 phentermine a day? I know the Narcos are a CNS depressant and the phentermine is a CNS stimulant so I wonder about negative interactions.

    1. Norco and phentermine don’t have immediate contraindications, but it IS advised to seek your doctor’s opinion (disclosing your full medical history to the prescribing doctor is EXTREMELY important) because he or she is the most qualified to give you a professional, accurate assessment.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

    1. Hi Mrs. Bacon!

      Yes. It is safe; just be sure to read about the recommended amounts of turmeric curcumin! It shouldn’t interfere with your Adipex/phentermine prescription or its effects at all.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

    1. Hi Janet!

      There does not seem to be any contraindication between them. Still, we would advise not taking them at the same time.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

  3. I forgot to add to my previous post I also take one daily women’s health vitamin and will be starting a probiotic tomorrow due to taking antibiotics for ear infection.

      1. Hi Shenice! Always check with your doctor and pharmacist before combining any additional medication or supplement with your phentermine.
        Rachel, phentermine.com

  4. Hello, I am 44 year old female. I started Phentermine 37.5 September 2016, to date I am still taking one 37.5 every morning and recently added topiramate 25mg at bed time. In the beginning side effects of phen I had were extreme thirst, and slight headaches but drinking water always helped. My life has completely changed, I am alcohol,drug, tobacco free..I eat differently it took a while to learn but when you want something so bad I guess you just do it. So total weight loss so far has been 52 pounds I started at 219. I feel great this has been life changing for me I am grateful for this medication and wish everyone good success I can offer advice or answer questions if any one has any. Good luck all ❤

    1. Hi Dolores!

      There are no contraindications for those drugs in our database. HOWEVER, we strongly suggest you consult directly with your prescribing doctor whenever you want to add another medicine or supplement, for whatever reason or ailment, while you’re under the phentermine treatment, just to be on the safe side.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

  5. Hello I really hope this site and blog do not judge. This is not the first time I will be taking Phentermine but I had a bad past 6 months and was dumb and got addicted to opiates oxycodone I stopped cold turkey and have been clean for ten days. Is it okay to start taking my Phentermine now?
    My doc prescribed me Phentermine but I didn’t tell him about my hard six month struggle and I really would rather not due to the judgement. Any help with my question would be great.
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Brooke,

      We are saddened to hear about that. We wish you the very best from here on.
      That’s why we can’t stress enough how important it is that you disclose EVERYTHING with your prescribing doctor. This is not about judging; it’s about your health, life and death. Phentermine is a controlled substance. You should go and talk with your doctor about your past, because you’re putting yourself in danger if you don’t.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

  6. I’ve been on phentermine for a month now but I’ve developed some chest and sinus congestion, are OTC sinus relief meds safe to take in conjunction with my weight loss pills?

    1. Hi Lauren! Always check with your doctor before combining phentermine with any other medications – prescription or OTC. Cold and sinus meds are one of the types of medications with potential interactions, so be extra careful to check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking these meds while on phentermine.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

    1. Hi Tinna! Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining phentermine with any other medications (prescription or OTC) or supplements.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

    1. Hi Cristina. Always check with your prescribing doctor before combining any medications or supplements with phentermine. He/she will know best which supplements and medications are safe or not while on phentermine.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  7. Hi I am taking phentermine 37.5 Mg and I got prescribed by my doctor Amox- clap 500-125 Mg for a a bad cough so can I take it with my weight loss pills?

    1. Hi Patricia! We’d recommend checking with your doctor and pharmacist before combining the medications. Cough & cold medications are one of the categories of medications that can interact with phentermine, so it is definitely a worthwhile question to ask.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  8. I have Epilepsy and have just started taking Keppra. Would it be safe to take Phentermine for weight loss?

    1. Hi Melissa, the safety of phentermine for each individual depends on a variety of factors, including existing health conditions and medications. We recommend you speak with your doctor about the possibility (and safety) of using phentermine for weight loss.
      Best regards,
      Rachel, phentermine.com

    1. Hi Amanda!
      It’s always best to check with your doctor before combining medications. Before you start taking any new prescriptions/supplements, chat with your doctor and let him/her know what you’re already taking so that he or she advise you and help you avoid any unwanted side effects.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  9. Can I take tumeric, piperine, & Curcumin with Phentermine to increase effectiveness of phentermine?

    1. Hi Kathy, thanks for your comment! We recommend speaking with your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription combinations, even if they are low doses.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

    1. Hi!
      We definitely recommend you consult with your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are currently taking, even if they are non-prescription, as there is a possibility these could interact and cause the phentermine to be less effective, or worsen side effects.
      As a phentermine alternative, we also recommend Phen Caps.

      Regards,

      Marko
      Phentermine.com

    1. Hello Penny,

      Thank you for reaching out. We can’t offer you medical advice, you should ask your doctor about it as soon as you can.

      Best regards

      Rebeca, Phentermine.com

  10. Hi is it ok to take phentermine with a daily probiotic formula of digestive health? Like the OTC culturelle digestive health?