Phentermine GH

MIMS Revision Date: 01 October 2024

Notes

Distributed by Generic Health Pty Ltd

1 Name of Medicine

Phentermine hydrochloride.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each Phentermine GH capsule contains phentermine as an ion-exchange resin complex equivalent to 15, 30 or 40 mg phentermine depending on strength. The ion-exchange resin is quite stable, highly insoluble and without pharmacological effect until it reacts with cations (hydrogen, potassium, sodium, etc.) present in the gastrointestinal fluids. Phentermine is then released from the resin complex at a rate dependent on the total concentration of these cations. Since this concentration is fairly constant throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, continuous and controlled ionic release occurs over a 10 to 14 hour period.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Sustained release capsules.
Phentermine GH 15 mg. Size '4' hard gelatin capsule with white opaque cap and grey opaque body, imprinted with "PT" on cap and "15" on body in black ink and containing brown to light brown coloured spherical beads.
Phentermine GH 30 mg. Size '3' hard gelatin capsule with purple cap and grey opaque body, imprinted with "PT" on cap and "30" on body in white ink and containing brown to light brown coloured spherical beads.
Phentermine GH 40 mg. Size '2' hard gelatin capsule with pink opaque cap and grey opaque body imprinted with "PT" on cap and "40" on body in black ink and containing brown to light brown coloured spherical beads.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Phentermine GH is an anorectic agent indicated in the management of obesity as a short-term adjunct in a medically monitored comprehensive regimen of weight reduction based, for example, on exercise, diet (caloric/kilojoule restriction) and behaviour modification in obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater. The treatment with Phentermine GH can be initiated in overweight patients with a lower BMI (25 to 29.9 kg/m²), which increases the risk of morbidity from a number of disorders. Secondary organic causes of obesity should be excluded by diagnosis before prescribing this agent.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Adults and adolescents over 12 years. One capsule daily at breakfast, swallowed whole. Evening dosing should be avoided, as this agent may induce insomnia. It is recommended that treatment should be initiated under the care of physicians experienced in the treatment of obesity.
The recommended starting dose is 30 mg daily. Larger framed individuals may require 40 mg daily. The recommended maintenance dose, either continuous or intermittent, is 15 to 40 mg daily depending on responsiveness. The recommended dose of Phentermine GH should not be exceeded to increase the effect. Phentermine GH should not be combined with other appetite suppressants. Patients require medical review after a defined course of treatment, which should not exceed three months.
Children under 12 years. Phentermine GH is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years as safety and efficacy have not been established.
Elderly. Phentermine GH is not recommended for the elderly.

4.3 Contraindications

Pulmonary artery hypertension.
Existing heart valve abnormalities or heart murmurs.
Moderate to severe arterial hypertension.
Cerebra-vascular disease.
Severe cardiac disease including arrhythmias and advanced arteriosclerosis.
Known hypersensitivity to sympathomimetic drugs.
Hyperthyroidism.
Agitated states or a history of psychiatric illnesses including anorexia nervosa and depression.
Glaucoma.
History of drug/alcohol abuse or dependence.
Concomitant treatment with Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors or within 14 days following their administration.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Phentermine is indicated only as short-term monotherapy for the management of exogenous obesity. The safety and efficacy of combination therapy with phentermine and any other drug products for weight loss have not been established. Therefore, co-administration of drug products for weight loss is not recommended.
Since the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine), ergot-like drugs and clomipramine affect serotonin disposition there remains a theoretical risk that combination of these agents with phentermine may also be associated with cardiac valvular disease and is not recommended. There is no direct scientific evidence to confirm this theory.
Valvular heart disease. Serious regurgitate cardiac valvular disease, primarily affecting the mitral, aortic and/or tricuspid valves, has been reported in otherwise healthy persons who had taken a combination of fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine with phentermine for weight loss. The aetiology of these valvulopathies has not been established and their course in individuals after the drugs are stopped is not known. There have been no reported cases to date of valvular heart disease occurring with the use of phentermine alone.
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Cases of severe, sometime fatal primary pulmonary hypertension, have been reported in patients who have received anorectics. In a case-control epidemiological study, the duration of treatment with anorectic agents, not including phentermine, beyond three months significantly increases the risk of PPH. However, patients treated with phentermine require medical review at least every three months (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). PPH has been reported in patients receiving fenfluramine/dexfenfluramine combined with phentermine. The possibility of an association between PPH and the use of phentermine alone cannot be ruled out; there have been very rare cases of PPH in patients who reportedly have taken phentermine alone. The initial symptom of PPH is usually dyspnoea. Other early symptoms include: angina pectoris, syncope, lower extremity oedema or the unexplained onset or aggravation of diminished exercise tolerance. Under these circumstances, treatment should be immediately discontinued and the patient referred to a specialist unit for investigation.
Use with caution in the following circumstances. Phentermine should be used with caution in patients with mild hypertension. In the first days of treatment, determine that there is no loss of blood pressure control.
In patients receiving phentermine, response to insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents may vary due to alterations in dietary regimes. This should be kept in mind if phentermine is used in diabetic patients.
Inappropriate use has been reported with similar drugs and the possibility of this occurrence should be considered with phentermine.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events have rarely been reported, mainly in association with rapid weight loss. Weight loss should be gradual and controlled in obese patients undergoing treatment with phentermine. Phentermine should be used with caution in patients with established coronary artery disease. A single case of exacerbation of angina pectoris in a patient with established coronary artery disease has been reported.
Phentermine should be used with caution in patients receiving psychotropic drugs, including sedatives and agents with sympathomimetic activity.
Phentermine should be used with caution in epileptic patients.
Phentermine should be used with caution in patients receiving anti-hypertensive agents.
Use in the elderly. Phentermine is not recommended for the elderly.
Paediatric use. Phentermine is not recommended for children.
Effects on laboratory tests. There are no reports to-date to suggest that phentermine interferes with laboratory or diagnostic tests.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Phentermine should be used with caution in patients receiving sympathomimetic agents.
Phentermine antagonises adrenergic neurone blocking drugs such as clonidine, methyldopa and guanethidine and may decrease their hypotensive effect.
The effects of phentermine are potentiated by Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (see Section 4.3 Contraindications) and may result in a hypertensive crisis.
The concurrent use of thyroid hormones with phentermine may increase the CNS stimulation that can occur with phentermine.
Alcohol may increase CNS side effects such as dizziness, light-headedness and confusion, and its concurrent use should be avoided with phentermine.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility. In rats, administration of phentermine at a dose 10 times the maximum human dose on a mg/m² basis abolished oestrous cycling. There is no information on the potential of phentermine to impair fertility in humans.
Use in pregnancy. (Category B2)
Weight reduction using appetite suppression drugs is not recommended during pregnancy. In rats, administration of phentermine during late gestation at a dose 7 times the maximum human dose on a mg/m² basis had no adverse effects on dams or offspring. There is no information on the teratological potential of phentermine. Because of inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy, phentermine should not be used in pregnant women.
Use in lactation. There is no data available on the safety of phentermine in lactation and as such, its use in lactating women should be avoided.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Phentermine may impair the ability to perform activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving and operating machinery, and patients therefore should be cautioned accordingly.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Cardiovascular. See Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Valvular heart disease, Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The most common reported reactions are palpitations, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure, precordial pain. Rare occurrences of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events have been described with anorectic agents. In particular, stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure and cardiac arrest have been reported.
Central nervous system. Overstimulation, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, tremor, dizziness and headache. Rarely, euphoria may occur and this may be followed by fatigue and depression. Psychotic episodes and hallucinations are rare side effects.
Gastrointestinal. Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, unpleasant taste, diarrhoea, constipation.
Other. Micturition disturbances, rash, impotence, changes in libido, facial oedema.
Reporting suspected adverse effects. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).
Symptoms. Initially, irritability, rapid respiration, agitation, euphoria, restlessness, hyperreflexia, disorientation and tremor, aggressiveness, hallucinations and panic states may occur, followed by cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, fatigue, central nervous system depression and coma. Cardiovascular consequences include hypertension, hypotension and circulatory collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
Treatment. The treatment is largely symptomatic. Activated charcoal may reduce absorption of the medicine if given within one or two hours after ingestion. In patients who are not fully conscious or have impaired gag reflex, consideration should be given to administering activated charcoal via a nasogastric tube, once the airway is protected. Diazepam, preferably by mouth (cautiously by intravenous injection) can be used to control marked excitement and convulsions. Provided renal function is adequate, elimination of phentermine has been shown to be assisted by acidification of the urine. There is insufficient experience to recommend haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action. Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine with significant anorectic activity in animal models. Its appetite suppressant effect is generally considered to be exerted through the hypothalamus, but it is not certain that this is the only effect related to weight loss. Phentermine has major effects on the dopaminergic and noradrenergic nervous systems. The cardiovascular effects include a pressor response and increase in heart rate and force of contraction.
Clinical trials. No data available.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption. Absorption of phentermine is almost complete. The rate of absorption from the resin complex is significantly slower than that from the hydrochloride salt resulting in a lower and later peak blood level. Phentermine is readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract.
Metabolism and excretion. Following an oral dose of phentermine capsule, one study demonstrated urinary excretion of unchanged drug ranging from 62.7% to 84.8% in 72 hours. The remainder is metabolised in the liver. The half-life of phentermine is about 25 hours. In one study in volunteers, acidification of the urine reduced the half-life to 7-8 hours.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity. Phentermine was not mutagenic in a bacterial gene mutation assay, however, studies to assess the potential for chromosomal damage have not been performed.
Carcinogenicity. No studies have been performed to determine the potential of phentermine for carcinogenesis.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Phentermine GH also contains the following inactive ingredients: sodium polystyrene sulfonate, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide, purified water and iron oxide black. The printing inks, TekPrint SW-9008 Black Ink or Marking Solution Black BKI004 Black Ink ACG PAM BKI004 contains shellac (15 mg and 40 mg capsules) and TekPrint SW-0012 White Ink contains shellac (30 mg capsules only). In addition, Phentermine GH 30 mg also contains brilliant Blue FCF, erythrosine; Phentermine GH 40 mg also contains erythrosine, Patent Blue V. Phentermine GH capsules are gluten-free.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Phentermine GH is supplied in PVC/PVDC and PVC/Aclar blisters of 30 and 300* tablets.
* Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical structure.

CAS number. Phentermine hydrochloride: 1197-21-3.
Phentermine: 122-09-8.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

Schedule 4 - Prescription Medicine.

Date of First Approval

04 May 2020

Date of Revision

12 August 2024

Summary Table of Changes