When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, phentermine can be a very effective diet drug. Some users may experience some symptoms of phentermine withdrawal, however, when they stop taking this drug. Behavior and mood changes are common signs of withdrawal from phentermine. Physical signs may also be present, including trembling, gastrointestinal problems, and weight gain. Phentermine should only be taken under the supervision of a physician, who can help minimize these withdrawal symptoms.
Phentermine is a weight-loss drug that helps stimulate part of the hypothalamus, which suppresses a person's appetite. Most people use this drug only for a few weeks, just until they have established a healthy routine that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. If this drug is misused or abused, however, it can become habit forming, resulting in several withdrawal symptoms.
Behavior changes are common symptoms of phentermine withdrawal. A person who suddenly stops taking this drug may not seem like herself. She may seem irritable, for instance, or simply out of it.
Nervousness and anxiety are other common signs of withdrawal from phentermine. Some users may also feel depressed for a time after they stop taking this drug. Insomnia and fatigue are also common, and some people even report unusual dreams or nightmares.
Physical symptoms of phentermine withdrawal are also quite common. These can include trembling or shaking, as well as gastrointestinal problems. Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon after a person stops taking this diet drug. Some people may even experience uncomfortable stomach cramps or other abdominal pain.
While weight gain is not technically a symptom of withdrawal, it can occur. After they stop taking phentermine, some people may begin to regain the weight that they have lost while taking the drug. Without the drug suppressing appetite, dieters feel more of an urge to eat. To avoid this, it is important to establish a healthy eating routine while taking the drug.
Phentermine withdrawal symptoms are also worse the longer a person takes the drug. Typically, people only take the drug for a few weeks. Since dependency and withdrawal are some of the risks of phentermine, people should never take this drug for more than a few months.
In most regions, phentermine is only available by prescription. It should not be taken without a doctor's supervision, since phentermine withdrawal symptoms are common. To prevent these symptoms, most doctors will gradually wean their patients off this drug.