Working The Night Shift On Phentermine

Working The Night Shift On Phentermine

Working the night shift can be hard on your health.

Night workers regularly experience disruptions to their diets and sleep deprivation and often work long shifts, which leave little time for exercise.

With this in mind, trying to lose weight on phentermine while working the night shift can be challenging, especially if you experience side effects like insomnia too.

So, for all of you night workers out there, we’ve put together these tips to help you achieve weight loss success with phentermine while working the night shift.

When Should I Take Phentermine If I Work The Night Shift?

Many night workers are often confused about when to take phentermine, as the general advice given is to take it ‘in the morning’, but if your bedtime is 8 am, then taking phentermine in the morning is a very bad idea.

Ideally, you should explain your personal timetable to your doctor in the first consultation. Then he or she should be able to adapt the prescription instructions to your particular routine.

However, if your prescription doesn’t take the fact that you work the night shift into account, then, you should take your phentermine when it’s your ‘morning’.

Taking your phentermine in the morning before you sleep is doubly counterproductive, as it will likely affect your ability to sleep during the day.

Then the energy-boosting effects and appetite suppression will be reduced when you need them most during the early hours of the next morning. 

It can be a little more complicated for those of you working different shift patterns from week to week or even day to day, but essentially, the same advice applies; the optimum time to take your phentermine will be when you first wake up, whatever time that may be, to make the most of the extra energy and appetite suppression during your particular waking hours.

Usually, patients are advised to eat breakfast within an hour of taking phentermine, so be sure to have your first meal or snack after waking within an hour of taking your phentermine, or you may experience side effects such as dizziness and headaches.

What About My Days Off?

Another issue complicating matters for those of you working the night shift is that your sleeping and waking routine changes when you have a day off.

For the times when you work the night shift but then are due to have the next night off, you will likely sleep for around 4 or 5 hours to feel refreshed enough to enjoy the rest of your day.

If that means that you wake up around midday, taking a full tablet could cause insomnia that night. If you’re new to phentermine, try taking half a tablet to see if that works for you.

The reasoning behind this is that phentermine is designed to give you a boost for the whole day, so if you’re only awake for part of the day, then a whole tablet could be too strong.

If you’re taking phentermine capsules then you should speak to your doctor to see if it’s possible for him or her to prescribe you 15mg capsules to be taken twice per day or once per day if you’re not awake for the full day.

And, on those days when you have been awake during the day and are due to work that night, taking your phentermine might mean that you become tired and with an increased appetite during your shift as the phentermine begins to wear off.

Again, you may want to try different timings to see what works for you, but one suggestion is to take half a tablet in the morning and then one later in the day, such as in the early evening, to see if that helps to keep the effects going throughout your shift.

Working The Night Shift On Phentermine: Your Weight Loss Plan

Working The Night Shift On Phentermine Your Weight Loss Plan

Here are some tailor-made tips to help achieve weight loss success on phentermine while working the night shift:

1. Prioritize Sleep

When working during the night, you are fighting against your body’s natural circadian rhythms, so it is likely that you are more susceptible to periods of insomnia.

Since insomnia is also a common side effect of phentermine, it is very important to monitor your sleeping patterns and talk to your doctor if phentermine causes difficulty sleeping beyond the first week or two.

He or she may then be able to adjust your prescription or give you more personalized advice to help combat insomnia on phentermine while working the night shift.

Sleep plays a crucial role in weight loss, so it should always be a priority to get good quality sleep to feel rested for the next shift.

A lack of sleep confuses the signals that let you know if you’re hungry or not, drains energy, and slows down metabolism, so skimping on shuteye is bad news for your waistline.

It can be difficult to go to bed when everyone else is awake but try not to be tempted into staying up as sleep deprivation makes weight loss a lot more difficult, even with the help of phentermine.

Make sure that your bedroom is sufficiently dark even in daylight – blackout blinds can help to block out the brightness if you find it difficult to sleep in the daytime.

You should also try to avoid distractions before bed, as checking your phone or watching TV can overstimulate your mind and make it difficult to switch off.

Just make a point of heading as directly as possible to your bed once you get home, turn off your phone and leave the TV for later.

2. Plan To Eat Well

Working the night shift means that both your day and your diet are upside down – dinner for breakfast, lunch in the middle of the night…But, planning meals and snacks for the night ahead means that you won’t be caught out wandering to the vending machine in the early hours of the morning.

It’s important to fuel up properly for your shift, so always try to have something to eat before you head to work.

Aim for slow-release carbohydrates packed with filling fiber such as brown rice, whole grain pasta, or quinoa to keep your energy levels up, and team them with vegetables and a healthy source of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, or tofu to keep your appetite suppressed for longer.

Night workers rarely have much to choose from when it comes to eating out during their break (and don’t even think about heading for the all-night drive-thru!) so packing a nutritious lunch is essential.

Leftovers from dinner are always an easy option, or you could try some of these healthy lunch ideas.

Depending on your job, you may not have the option of snacking between meals, but if you do, then be sure to keep some healthy snack options in your bag, staff kitchen, or locker.

Some great snacks to eat throughout your shift are nuts and seeds, tinned tuna, fruit, vegetable crudités, whole grain crackers, boiled eggs, and yogurt.

Having healthy snacks like these on hand will help you to keep you feeling full so that tiredness doesn’t lead to bad eating decisions.

When it comes to eating during the morning, it’s best not to leave it too late to eat your last meal as this can disrupt sleep.

So, avoid having breakfast when you get home if you’re about to sleep, and instead try to eat a light meal or snack while you’re still at work if possible.

For those occasions when you’re hungry after work, these small healthy snacks help to promote sleep while also suppressing those hunger pangs.

But, do try to eat at least an hour before bedtime to avoid acid reflux and difficulty sleeping.

3. Get Active

Night work is physically and mentally draining, but aiming to fit exercise into your routine can help to realign your circadian rhythms, so that deep sleep during the day is all the more achievable.

Not to mention, exercise is great for relieving stress, lifting your mood, boosting energy, and of course, helping you to lose more weight on phentermine.

While exercising after work might be too stimulating and cause you to have difficulty sleeping, a quick workout before your shift is a great way to fit exercise into your day.

So, if you have time, aim for an early-evening gym class before dinner, a quick home workout, or a run around the block.

And, even if you work long shifts, as we explain here, fitting in a few minutes of exercise here and there can really help you to boost your losses on phentermine.

If your job is physical and involves a lot of walking, adding some weight-bearing exercises can help to tone you up and get your metabolism working faster.

For those of you whose job involves heavy lifting, try adding some cardio to your routine, such as dancing, running, or swimming, to increase fat burn and boost metabolism.

If you’re more sedentary in your role, taking regular breaks to walk around can help to wake up your metabolism and also give you a quick energy boost.

Lastly, going for a walk outside during your break may not be an option during the night, but getting some fresh air can really help you to maintain your focus and boost your motivation for the next few hours to come.

Do you work the night shift? Let us know your experience of taking phentermine and working nights by commenting below!

Sally Cohen

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

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29 Comments

  1. hello I work the night shift I get off work at 7 am go to sleep wake up at about noon what is the best time to take phentermine before going to work by 11pm

    1. Hi Temarie,

      Since you wake up at around noon, you might consider taking phentermine shortly after waking up, as this would align with a typical morning dose. However, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance to ensure it fits your specific work schedule and health needs. They can help you create a dosing plan that minimizes side effects and supports your weight loss goals while working the night shift.

      Sally, Phentermine.com

  2. Hi. i work 1030p-630a 5 nights a week. when i toom phentermine the clinician suggested taking it around 2 or 3pm. i told them i slept, if i slept, til around noon, did household stuff or whatever, and took a “nap” or relaxed around 730pm. it seemed to work out. that might work for some of you. 🙂

  3. Hi my name is stephiann and i work the 11p-7am shift. I usually have trouble sleeping anyway so i take the phenteermine at 6:30am, when i get off work go walking/jogging for about hour and a half. And then take a morning nap at around 11 or 12 wake up at 3 to get my kids from school then take an evening nap at 7:30 before i go to work at 10:45. This is my 5th week on phentermine and im down 18 pounds. I just do what works for me.

  4. Hi my name is Stephanie
    I work night shift at 10:45 pm n get out at 6:45am n go straight to the gym what the time to take phentermine.?

    1. Hi Stephanie! Most doctors recommend that patients take their phentermine about half an hour before (or 1-2 hours after) their first meal, whether that meal is in the morning or at night – as it is in your case. However, check with your individual doctor and pharmacist for exact instructions. They are best-qualified to give you an exact time based on your specific phentermine pill, work schedule, other medications and overall health. Best wishes!
      Rachel, Phentermine.com

  5. Hi my name is pat
    i work the third shift i go to work at 10:45 pm and gets off at 8:00 am could you tell me when is the best possible time to take phentermine 37.5. just started taken it and i have gone 3 days now for the past three days i have been taking it at 9:00 am find it difficult to sleep i would reached home take a shower exercise 8:15-8:50 then i would take the pill at 9:00 which i have doing wrong just stumble upon this article and its quiet interesting. Thanks much

  6. Hi, I have been taking Phentermine for 4 days now…and I’m working the night shift…it’s a 13hr shift so I normally work 3 days then have 2 days off and it’s never the same as I only work 16 days in a month…my shift starts at 6pm so I wake up at 4:30pm and these past 3 days I have been taking the pills after a cup of Milo at 7pm daily then I have my next meal by 9pm…then til the morning around 7am I’m not hungry so I eat just fruit if needed. When I’m back home by 7:30am I’m tired so I sleep till 4:30pm so thats how my routine has been for these past three days…however today I’m off so I woke up at 3:30pm after coming back from work this morning then I took the pills again at 6pm coz i wanna take it at the same time daily…but now at 2am I’m sleepy…and I don’t want to sleep coz I’m afraid the pills will not work so I’m staying awake…is this ok!! Or should i do something else….I’m confused…coz it’s said you should take tablet after breakfast…so can I just have a cup of hot Milo then consume the pills…coz I don’t feel hungry…

    1. Hi Trish,
      With your shift it’s not going to be possible to take the phentermine at the same time every day – on days when you’re working it’s fine to take it in the afternoon as this is your ‘morning’, but when you’re not working you shouldn’t take phentermine so late in the day, not a full one anyway. If you read the article above carefully it explains what you should do when you have days off after working the night shift. Ideally on days when you worked the night before but aren’t going to work that night, waking up a little earlier would be beneficial, so getting perhaps 4 or 5 hours sleep instead of 7 or 8. Then, you should take half a tablet when you wake up around lunchtime and you should be fine for the rest of the day, and tired enough by around 10 or 11pm to have an early night and sleep for at least 8 hours so that you’re refreshed for the following day. Then, when it’s a day that you didn’t work the night before and don’t have to work that night, you can take a full pill in the morning, as you would if you were working the day shift.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  7. Hi, I work midnight to 8:30a. The article was very helpful and I also discussed this with my doctor. I wake up around 3:00 but I take another nap about 8:30pm before I go in to work. I have been taking it when I wake up at 10:45p. Do you think that is the best time? If I take it when I wake up at 3:00p, I won’t be able to sleep again at 8:30p.

    1. Hello Dee. Thank you for reaching out. We are glad that you found the article useful.

      You should probably take it at 8:30Pm. It makes most sense like that.

      Hope that helps! You are welcome to join our brand new support group so you can connect with other phentermine users, share your experience and get some valuable advice. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069871763087734/

      Rebeca, Phentermine.com

  8. Hi my name is Laura I started taking phen on 1/5/2017 my dr said take in am 9-10 I work 5-12hr shift I eat around between 10pm to 11pm at night. I get sleepy around 1am. Then when I get home at 8am I take my pill then it hard for me to sleep. now about my eating problem at night what can I do. what time do I need to eat. what good for me to eat or snack on during the night to keep me from falling to sleep.

    1. Hi Laura,
      If you work the night shift you definitely shouldn’t take your phentermine before you go to sleep. The article above explains what kind of timetable you should keep to when taking phentermine and working the night shift. Take your phentermine when you first wake up, most likely in the afternoon. This way you will have the energy boost throughout the night and shouldn’t get sleepy during your shift, and you will be able to sleep better when it comes to bedtime in the morning. Exactly when you eat depends on you and your shift. Most people tend to eat dinner with their family as their ‘breakfast’ then eat throughout the night as they would throughout the day, with a final meal or snack no later than around 3 hours before going to sleep.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  9. Hi, my name is Sylvia. I started taking duromine on the 1st of Dec and I’ve lost 3.3kg but I didn’t really know when to take my pill anymore cause I’m wrkn night shift and struggling to sleep during the day, I’m on day 4 now and I never slept out this days plsss advise me thank u

    1. Hi Sylvia,
      The article above has all the information for you, but we advise you to take it when you first wake up, which is probably in the afternoon. If you’re struggling with insomnia then you could ask your doctor for a lower dosage – Duromine is available in 15mg so this might work better for you to start with.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  10. I have had some pretty good results thus far from taking phentermine. I have lost 18lbs in 22 days. This was just in the first two weeks. I have not lost anything this week. I started at 205lbs. This week so far has been rough for me though. I am fighting the emotional hunger pains. I am also severely constipated. I have not gone in two weeks! I am having trouble getting motivated to want to drink any fluids even though I have dry mouth. I have always been this way even when I was little. I don’t have problems during the night with wanting food, but during the day is the part I struggle with the most! I honestly thought about switching the times and taking the medicine in the morning. I do this on my days off and I have no trouble sleeping at night. I am just afraid of insomnia during the day. Are there any suggestions you may have to this plateau I am experiencing right now? Thanks!

    1. Hi Nikki,
      We just published an article on combating the side effect of constipation a couple of weeks ago so that could help you resolve this issue: https://www.phentermine.com/phentermine-side-effects/constipation/. As for the plateau you’re experiencing, it’s very common for people to taking phentermine to stall after the first few weeks. This is actually a typical weight loss pattern for most dieters as the body starts to resist losing weight after the first 5-10% of body weight lost, so it’s just a case of carrying on with what you’re doing and the weight will start to come off again once your body starts to adjust to your new weight. The constipation is also likely to be stalling your weight loss a lot too. However, it’s really important to drink more water, or the constipation and weight loss stall are going to be harder to break through. As for you feeling hungry during the day, I’m not sure I understand as I would have thought you would be asleep during most of the day? If you’re waking up hungry then a small snack around an hour before sleep is fine – you can check out these recommendations for light pre-sleep snacks: https://www.phentermine.com/blog/10-best-nighttime-snacks-phentermine/ But we wouldn’t recommend taking phentermine before you sleep though as this is likely to cause insomnia just when you need to sleep.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  11. I have been working nights 4.5 years and I have gained 10lbs every year. When I went to my doctor last week (8/19) she prescribed phentermine 37.5. I was 215. For you that work nights you know how hard the struggle of losing weight is. I’m happy to report that after being on phentermine for 1 week I have lost 4lbs. This week I will take into consideration your tips. My biggest struggle is after working the night and I am off the next night I usually sleep 4-5 hours and then wake up. In the past I try and force myself to stay awake by grazing on food. I did not take the phentermine this week after I slept for 4 hours and I felt my grazing tendencies return. I’m going to do as you suggested and take half a pill this week. Thank you for your suggestion!!

    1. Hi Debbie,
      Thanks for your feedback, we’re really glad that the article has offered you some helpful advice! 😀
      Sally, phentermine.com

  12. Just started phentermine. I work nights 12 hour shifts and have found all your encouraging words valuable. Thanks for all your help

    1. Hi Shelly,
      Thanks for your feedback, we hope that you found the article useful! But if you have any questions or doubts, be sure to let me know and I will do my best to offer you advice and support. Good luck!
      Sally, phentermine.com

  13. I had to find a good pattern. I work 12 hr shifts, 2 days on 3 off and vice versa. When I get home at 7:30, I take my Armour Thyroid, go to sleep and get up around 12 or 1 and take the phentermine. Only thing is I like to take a little nap before work. I’m still trying to juggle eating when I’m not that hungry while on metformin, vitamin b complex and a high dose of vitamin d. Maybe I should reduce it to 1/2 a pill a day. Since starting on 7/14 I have lost 6 lbs

  14. I work the night shift and my schedule alternates. 1 week I work 5 days (2 days on, 2 days off, then 3 days on) then the next week I work 2 days (2 days off, 2 days on, then 3 days off). Then I am back to the 5 days work and the next week is the 2 days work.

    I had the opportunity to chat with someone about how to take phentermine on this site and they were actually very helpful. I started taking my pills on the 20th of July and so far I have lost almost 10 lbs. I have been doing ok when it comes to my taking my food to work and at least 2 snacks. When I get up at 4pm I take my pill and around 5pm I eat what I consider my breakfast. On my days off one thing I do when I have done my last night of work which I took that pill at 4 pm the day before, once I get home I go ahead and take the other pill and I stay up late that night. My nights off, I am always up late (til art least 4am)and when I go to sleep I sleep late, then I take my pill when I get up which is usually around 1pm.

    My biggest downfall is getting enough exercise when I am at work. When I first get to work at 6:45pm I am busy up until around 9pm. I pass out medication and have to push a medcart around to the residents room. Once I finish it is a waiting game to see if someone calls for assistance or not. I make rounds every two hours if I am not called. I am not busy busy again until 5am when I pass out my morning meds and that takes about 1 hr. When I get home I get ready for bed and maybe if I am hungry I eat some fruits or cheerios or rice krispies with 1% milk. Should I not eat that before I go to bed?

    I am truly proud of myself thus far but, I want to get the best out of this opportunity and just need to know if you all have any suggestions about sleep, exercise, time to take pills, etc

    I know I said a lot ? Thanking you guys in advance.

    1. Hey Sandra,
      Thanks for your feedback! It’s sounds like you’re doing great on phentermine but I just thought I’d answer the couple of questions you had. With respect to exercising at work, it’s not something many of us can do so don’t worry too much about trying to be more active while you’re there. However, you could always do the kegel exercises we explain in this article: https://www.phentermine.com/blog/10-easy-ways-fit-fitness-phentermine/, and there are also some mini workouts that you could do before work if you have a spare minute or two. A colleague of mine who I think you spoke to on our chat service said to me that she used to walk the 3 miles home after her night shift as she worked all night in a supermarket with loud music and bright lights, and that the quiet walk home around 6.30am helped to clear her head, making it easier for her to sleep throughout the day. Again, it’s not possible for everyone but it is a good way to get exercise into your day if it is something you could do.

      With respect to the eating before bed – fruit is great, and cereal is fine as dairy products do encourage sleep but perhaps you could try a healthier cereal, such as the ones we list in our article about cereals here: https://www.phentermine.com/blog/choose-healthier-breakfast-cereal/. Also, we would advise you to eat when you get home and then get ready for bed, so that the food has a chance to digest before you try to sleep.

      Hope that helps!
      Sally, phentermine.com

    2. I also work this schedule, plus I switch from days to nights every two weeks. I have just started taking the phentermine, and I am down 12 pounds. I also, switched my diet up. No sodas, fast food, fried food, or pasta. I pray that I can get 60 pounds off total to start out. I would like to wish you well. I need to incorporate some exercise into my routine as well.

  15. Thank you so so much for this! I work 4 nights on 4 nights off and just started on phentermine. I told my doctor this but he didn’t help me with any special instructions but this is perfect! I will print this out and use it to help me plan