What is Duromine?

Duromine is a popular prescription weight loss drug that is often prescribed for those who are morbidly obese (usually with a BMI over 30). The active ingredient is Phentermine hydrochloride (Phentermine HCl) which is related to the amphetamine family and is a controversial drug. Duromine is typically used when other methods of weight loss have failed.

Phentermine is also sold under the trade name Adipex and previously, Fastin, but is, essentially, the same drug. Duromine can be prescribed for those with a BMI under 30, but this only occurs if their obesity is a threat to their life. Often, patients taking the weight loss supplement also suffer from other illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How does Duromine work?

As an amphetamine, Phentermine works by stimulating the adrenal glands to release norepinephrine (noradrenaline). This increases your fight-or-flight response which acts to increase activity and decrease feelings of hunger. This response also releases epinephrine (adrenaline) which breaks down fats to use as energy in preparation for the fight-or-flight response. Along with the increase in activity, these should all help to increase weight loss and reduce food intake.

You cannot buy Duromine over the counter, since it is a prescription drug. As previously mentioned, it is an amphetamine which increases risks for addiction; therefore, patients typically do not use the medication for more than 3 months at a time. Other side effects can include increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, etc. There are also less common effects which include palpitations, decreased sex drive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, etc.

Is Duromine safe?

Duromine should not be taken by those who are pregnant, those who are thinking of becoming pregnant, breastfeeding women, those with allergies to Phentermine or other ingredients in Duromine, or with high blood pressure or cholesterol. It has also been known to cause negative drug interactions when taken with specific drugs, so it’s important to notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other medications.

It should be noted that there are additional risks that have been documented but are rare. There are a few cases of patients taking the drug and suffering strokes or heart attacks due to the rapid weight loss. This risk is compounded when the patient also suffers from any vascular disease which already increases the risk for heart attack or stroke. Because of this, it is recommended that patients carefully monitor their weight loss and make sure that the progression is steady rather than dramatic.

Though it is possible to buy Duromine online, it’s not recommended for use by those who wish to lose weight for aesthetic purposes. The most common format of the Duromine pill is the Duromine 30 mg tablet. These pills are generally well tolerated with the side effects mentioned above, but if any serious effects are noted, please notify a health care professional. As with all medications, it is important to be informed about what you are taking and how it will impact your life. Always follow the labels and report any strange or detrimental side effects.