The diet warns of debilitating side effects after taking popular weight loss pills and drinking alcohol at the same time.
Brady Henderson, 52, from Atlanta, Georgia, was eager to lose weight and was able to get a prescription for the appetite suppressant phentermine, sold under the brand name Adipex-P.
This is easier and cheaper to obtain compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound, compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists that suffered severe shortages last year.
Adipex-P pills are usually taken orally once a day in the morning, but previously it was one of the weight loss drugs approved by the FDA before the appearance of GLP-1.
In 2022, the most recent year with available data, there were over 3.7 million prescriptions in the US, but as GLP-1 becomes more difficult to get, more people may turn to them.
Henderson said he only took weight loss pills for a few days when he experienced extreme side effects.
“I was at the event overnight and I had some drinks,” he said. 11Alive.
“Then I realized I was beginning to feel dizzy and rightheaded.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic have strictly warned against drinking alcohol while taking phentermine.
Brady Henderson, 52, from Atlanta, Georgia, was eager to lose weight, so he was able to get a prescription for the appetite suppressant phentermine, sold under the brand name Adipex-P.
The interaction of the two substances can lead to a range of potential health concerns, including increased heart rate, liver dysfunction, excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
In rare cases, phentermine is also known to cause paranoia and other psychotic symptoms due to its structural similarity to amphetamines such as METH.
Commenting on Henderson’s case, Dr. Colin Hale, PhD, of the University of Houston’s Drug Discovery Institute, told dailymail.com:
“And it should not be combined with alcohol, as phentermine can hide its inhibitory effect and can be consumed too much.”
Henderson claims he was not warned of these dangers during consultations at his local weight loss clinic.
However, he says he should have done his own research, focusing on drugs before taking the medicine.
“I should have known better, so I’m responsible,” he said.
Worse, Henderson already suffered from high blood pressure, but he and this were ignored during his consultations, claiming he was able to take the medication.
Adipex-P- is taken once a day, usually in the morning – previously one weight loss drug approved by the FDA prior to the emergence of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Wegovy and Ozempic.
Adipex-P is generally not recommended for patients with hypertension as it can stimulate the central nervous system and worsen cardiovascular symptoms.
Experts are now warning patients to be vigilant as demand for weight loss drugs is surged.
Dr. Jada Moore Ruffin, a medical barrier-trick expert who didn’t treat Henderson, says he sees people procure weight loss medication online from friends and “people who aren’t in the medical field.”
She warns people: “Don’t trust your body to anyone. Don’t give yourself to someone who can’t really support you due to the long game.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Haile points out that Adipex-P is an inexpensive alternative to GLP-1 agonists.
However, he also emphasizes that they behave differently, with different potential side effects and benefits.
Medic told the website:
Following on from his uneasy experience with Adipex-P, Henderson has now changed his approach to losing weight.
“This time I’m doing it in a natural way. I’m going to the gym and seeing what I eat,” he said.
