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| Pronunciation |
|
 (benz
FET a
meen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Didrex® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Anorexiant |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to other stimulants, benzphetamine, or any
other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Patients with severe
coronary artery disease; symptomatic disease of the heart or blood vessels; high
blood pressure; over-active thyroid disease; glaucoma; diabetes mellitus;
agitated states; a history of drug abuse; both attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorders and Tourette's syndrome or tics.
- If you are taking weight loss products or have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the past
14 days.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of narcolepsy, attention
deficit disorder with hyperactivity, exogenous obesity, abnormal behavioral
syndrome in children (minimal brain dysfunction), and
depression.
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Benzphetamine stimulates the brain in adults to increase alertness.
This effect on the brain may also cause weight loss. Benzphetamine has a
stabilizing effect in children with attention deficit
disorder.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days
before this medicine is started. The two together could cause dangerously high
blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Inability to sleep, nervousness, restlessness, lack of appetite.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If you have a history of high blood pressure, check blood pressure
regularly.
- If you are using this medicine for weight loss, follow diet plan and
exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- Severe headache.
- Chest pain, pressure, or fast heartbeats.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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