Metermine (Phentermine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Metermine Used For?
Metermine contains phentermine, an appetite suppressant that helps reduce body weight in people who are obese or overweight. It works by affecting the area of your brain that controls appetite, making you feel less hungry throughout the day.
Primary Uses
Metermine is prescribed to help reduce body weight in obese or overweight patients as part of a comprehensive weight management program.
How It Works
Metermine is an appetite suppressant that directly affects the area of the brain controlling your appetite, making you feel less hungry. The phentermine is combined with a resin that slowly releases the medication so its effects last all day.
Complete Program: Metermine should be used as part of an overall weight management plan that includes a medically controlled diet and exercise program.
How to Take Metermine
Take Metermine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication comes as capsules that should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one capsule daily, taken first thing in the morning at breakfast time to prevent sleep problems. Swallow the capsule whole with plenty of water – do not chew or open the capsules. Take at the same time each day for best results. It doesn’t matter if you take it before or after food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your morning dose, take it no later than lunchtime. If you take Metermine later than lunchtime, you may have trouble sleeping at night. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Increasing the dose won’t make you lose weight faster but will increase your risk of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling more awake than usual and trouble sleeping
- Heart beating faster and harder
- Slightly raised blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats
- Feeling restless
- Feelings of extreme happiness followed by depression and tiredness
- Nervousness
- Tremor (shaking)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Dry mouth or unpleasant taste
- Difficulty passing urine
- Skin rashes
- Sexual function problems
- Swelling of lower limbs or face
- Sudden or rapid weight loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Chest pain
- Myocardial infarction
- Difficulty breathing
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Metermine should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Metermine
Do not use Metermine if you: are allergic to phentermine or any ingredients; are taking similar weight reduction medicines; have very high blood pressure, high blood pressure in the lungs, heart valve problems, blood vessel disease in the brain, severe heart disease, narrowed blood vessels, overactive thyroid, psychiatric illness including anorexia nervosa and depression, or glaucoma; are under 12 years old or elderly; are currently taking or have taken MAOIs within the last 14 days; have previously misused drugs or alcohol.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: high blood pressure, heart disease such as angina, diabetes, or epilepsy. Also inform your doctor about all other medicines you’re taking.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Stop taking Metermine and contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Emergency Symptoms: Tell your doctor immediately if you experience sudden or rapid weight loss, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, swelling of the lower limbs, or if you cannot exercise as much as usual.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medications can interfere with Metermine and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Cold Medications: Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any cough or cold medication while taking Metermine.
- Other medicines for weight reduction
- Medicines for depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder or other mental illness
- Ergot-like medicines for migraine
- Some cough and cold remedies
- Thyroid hormones
- Medicines for lowering high blood pressure
- Mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Alcohol & Driving
Metermine can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Metermine. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Metermine affects you.
Storage
Keep your capsules in the blister-foil pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep out of reach of children. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Metermine, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Metermine contains a resin that slowly releases phentermine so the appetite-suppressing effects last all day. You should take it first thing in the morning at breakfast time.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Metermine before or after food. However, take it first thing in the morning at breakfast time to prevent sleep problems.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about when to stop taking Metermine. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take it and will assess whether it continues to be suitable for you.
No, do not drink alcohol while taking Metermine. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If you miss your morning dose, take it no later than lunchtime. If you take it later than lunchtime, you may have trouble sleeping. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose – never take a double dose.
No, you must swallow the capsules whole with plenty of water. Do not chew or open the capsules as this can affect how the medication is released in your body.
No, increasing the dose will not necessarily make you lose more weight or lose weight faster. However, you will be more likely to experience side effects. Only take the dose prescribed by your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.