Does anyone know if taking phentermine alone causes pulmonary hypertension?

Question

Everyone knows that the Phen-Fen combo caused such problems, but I know doctors that still prescribe phentermine (some for a year or more) by itself. Can taking phentermine alone cause pulmonary hypertension? My doc said probably not, I'm just wondering what others have heard.

Answer 1

It can, yes. It's like Vioxx. It can cause heart damage to persons who have a heart condition (high blood pressure, CHF, angina, etc.) should never be prescribed Vioxx or Phentermine.

Answer 2

What is the most important information I should know about phentermine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Phentermine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.
Phentermine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
Do not crush, chew or open any "once-daily" phentermine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.

In other words, it's an "upper", no it does not cause pulmonary hypertension.

Answer 3

Phentermine:

Please read:

What is the most important information I should know about phentermine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Phentermine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.
Phentermine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
Do not crush, chew or open any "once-daily" phentermine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.

http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d00806a1......

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non prescription phentermine

See web on people who felt that they were suckered into “non prescription phentermine”

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=430053

Answer 4

Yes phentermine alone can cause high blood pressure. My sister who is very overweight and NEVER had a blood pressure problem took phentermine for two months and now has very high readings. She is now on a medication for it and her doctor says that it will most likely stay that way.

Answer 5

IT IS NOT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE....... Primary or unexplained pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels for no apparent reason. The pulmonary artery is a blood vessel carrying oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle (one of the heart's pumping chambers) to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen, then flows to the heart's left side, where the left ventricle pumps it to the rest of the body through the aorta. Hypertension is a medical term for abnormally high blood pressure. Normal average (also called "mean") pulmonary artery pressure is about 14 mm Hg at rest. In patients with PPH, the average blood pressure in the pulmonary artery is greater than 25 mm Hg at rest and greater than 30 mm Hg during exercise. This abnormally high pressure (pulmonary hypertension) is linked with changes in the small blood vessels in the lungs. These changes increase resistance to blood flowing through the vessels. This increased resistance puts a strain on the right ventricle, which now must work harder than usual to move enough blood through the lungs. See a doctor if you think you have this..