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Took Duramine. Started Headache, Dry Mouth, Red And Swollen Face. Should I Stop The Medicine?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Oct 2012
Question: Hi, I took duramine for 1 month a year ago. Side affects were headaches and dry mouth.
Today I filled a prescription and took one capsule. This time my face went red and very swollen.
Do I need to stop or will this subside? Why would this be different to last time? 15mg both times.
Thank you XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Madhuri Patil (3 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query.

Well, in the known side effects of Duramine (Phentermine) urticaria or allergic reaction to the medication with angioedema kind of symptoms are described in the literature. Red face with swelling looks like that. Do you also have some kind of chocked throat/ breathlessness/ swelling over limbs/ swelling around the eyes/ decreased urine output? Then please rush to a nearest medical centre for treatment of the possible angioedema.
But if you do not have these symtpoms and you are otherwise fine, then discontinue the capsule and wait for next 24 hours. If symptoms subside then may be you have developed allergy to the main ingredient or the other substances used to make the capsule. So be cautious eventhough you have used the medication before this.
Also, be informed that this medication has tendency to be dependent on after a few days' use plus it works for a temporary weight loss and not a long standing one. Your goal to lose weight shouldn't be just to look slimmer but also to be fit metabolically to avoid future complications.
You are just 37 and have got a lot of potential to try natural and scientifically proven methods of weight loss. Step by step dietary modifications and inclusion of exercises will not only help you lose weight but make you feel so fit that you will get encouraged to lose more weight further as your patience would pay...I know most of the people develop negativity about these weight loss remedies. The reasons might be that they might not get guidance for systematic weight loss, or they go overboard initially and feel exausted about the exercise or dietary restrictions, do not know where to balance, intermittent stresses in life do not let them stick to the decided weight loss regime etc etc...But believe me, you can still do it with great success. Do get back to me for that.
So coming back to your question- answer is yes, you please stop the medication as of now. Go to a physician in case you have other warning symptoms of allergic reaction and consult him/ her about restarting the medication again.

All the very best.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Madhuri Patil

Diabetologist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 362 Questions

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Took Duramine. Started Headache, Dry Mouth, Red And Swollen Face. Should I Stop The Medicine?

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query.

Well, in the known side effects of Duramine (Phentermine) urticaria or allergic reaction to the medication with angioedema kind of symptoms are described in the literature. Red face with swelling looks like that. Do you also have some kind of chocked throat/ breathlessness/ swelling over limbs/ swelling around the eyes/ decreased urine output? Then please rush to a nearest medical centre for treatment of the possible angioedema.
But if you do not have these symtpoms and you are otherwise fine, then discontinue the capsule and wait for next 24 hours. If symptoms subside then may be you have developed allergy to the main ingredient or the other substances used to make the capsule. So be cautious eventhough you have used the medication before this.
Also, be informed that this medication has tendency to be dependent on after a few days' use plus it works for a temporary weight loss and not a long standing one. Your goal to lose weight shouldn't be just to look slimmer but also to be fit metabolically to avoid future complications.
You are just 37 and have got a lot of potential to try natural and scientifically proven methods of weight loss. Step by step dietary modifications and inclusion of exercises will not only help you lose weight but make you feel so fit that you will get encouraged to lose more weight further as your patience would pay...I know most of the people develop negativity about these weight loss remedies. The reasons might be that they might not get guidance for systematic weight loss, or they go overboard initially and feel exausted about the exercise or dietary restrictions, do not know where to balance, intermittent stresses in life do not let them stick to the decided weight loss regime etc etc...But believe me, you can still do it with great success. Do get back to me for that.
So coming back to your question- answer is yes, you please stop the medication as of now. Go to a physician in case you have other warning symptoms of allergic reaction and consult him/ her about restarting the medication again.

All the very best.