Diethylpropion: MedlinePlus Drug Information

pronounced as (dye eth il proe’ pee on)

To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.

Diethylpropion decreases appetite. It is used on a short-term basis (a few weeks), in combination with diet, to help you lose weight.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Diethylpropion comes as a regular and extended-release (long-acting) tablet. Diethylpropion usually is taken three times a day, 1 hour before meals (regular tablets), or once a day in midmorning (extended-release tablets). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diethylpropion exactly as directed.

Do not crush, chew, or cut extended-release tablets; swallow them whole.

Diethylpropion may be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to. Call your doctor if diethylpropion loses its effect.

Before taking diethylpropion,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diethylpropion; amphetamines; other diet pills; medications for allergies, hay fever, and colds; or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially guanethidine, insulin, and MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] even if you stopped taking them in the last 2 weeks, herbal products, and vitamins. Tell your doctor if you have taken other diet pills in the past year.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, glaucoma, pulmonary hypertension, seizures, or a history of drug abuse.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking diethylpropion, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking diethylpropion.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Follow your doctor’s directions. Eat a low-calorie, well-balanced diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Diethylpropion may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dry mouth
• unpleasant taste
• restlessness
• anxiety
• dizziness
• depression
• tremors
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• increased urination

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• fast or irregular heartbeat
• heart palpitations
• blurred vision
• skin rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• fainting
• swelling of the ankles or feet
• fever
• sore throat
• chills
• painful urination

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

• Tenuate^®
• Tenuate^® Dospan
• Tepanil^®¶

^¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

Last Revised – 04/15/2017

Browse Drugs and Medicines

Diethylpropion 24 HR Extended Release Oral Tablet 75 mg

Uses

For obesity or weight loss.

Instructions

Swallow the medicine without crushing or chewing it.

It is very important that you take the medicine at about the same time every day. It will work best if you do this.

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not keep in the bathroom.

Keep the medicine away from heat and light.

Avoid drinks with caffeine while on this medicine.

If you forget to take a dose on time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine at one time.

Please tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbal medicines, or anything else you take for your health.

If your symptoms do not improve or they worsen while on this medicine, contact your doctor.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before stopping.

This medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before changing the dose of your diabetes medicine.

It is very important that you keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.

Cautions

This medicine can be habit-forming. If you use this medicine regularly for a long time, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Please use this medicine only as directed.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include trouble breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness.

Some patients taking this medicine have experienced serious side effects. Please speak with your doctor to understand the risks and benefits associated with this medicine.

Do not use the medication any more than instructed.

If possible, avoid using with marijuana or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.

Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not drink beverages with alcohol while on this medicine.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Do not breastfeed while on this medicine.

Ask your pharmacist if this medicine can interact with any of your other medicines. Be sure to tell them about all the medicines you take.

Please tell all your doctors and dentists that you are on this medicine before they provide care.

Do not start or stop any other medicines without first speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.

Side Effects

The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.

• agitated feeling or trouble sleeping
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• irritability
• nausea
• vomiting

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:

• chest pain
• swelling of the legs, feet, and hands
• fainting
• hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
• severe or persistent headache
• fast or irregular heart beats
• high blood pressure
• muscle aches, spasms or abnormal movements
• seizures
• problems with sexual functions or desire
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• blurring or changes of vision
• weakness on one side of the body

A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.

Extra

Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.

https://krames.meducation.com/V2.0/fdbpem/80

IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all
there is to know about it.Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine.
Please talk to them if you have any questions.Always follow their advice. There is a more complete
description of this medicine available in English.Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use
the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have
any questions, please ask your pharmacist.