Drug Notes

Benzphetamine (By mouth)

Benzphetamine (benz-FET-a-meen)

Used as part of a diet plan to help you lose weight.

Brand Name(s):

Didrex, Regimex

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. This medicine is not for long-term use.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use benzphetamine if you took an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days or if you are also taking any other stimulants, such as caffeine, other diet medicines, some asthma medicines, and some cough and cold medicines.
• Some medicines can affect how benzphetamine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Depression medicine, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline
  • Insulin

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart, liver, or kidney disease, or a history of drug abuse.
• If you have diabetes, this medicine may change the level of sugar in your blood or urine. Tell your doctor if you see changes in the results of your blood sugar or urine tests.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 12 years.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bad taste in your mouth, or dry mouth
• Diarrhea or nausea
• Dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, headache, trembling, or trouble sleeping
• Increased sweating

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017