Benzphetamine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. Benzphetamine is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.

Benzphetamine is used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity (overweight).

Benzphetamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Benzphetamine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use benzphetamine if you are pregnant.

Do not use benzphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Taking benzphetamine together with other diet medications (including medicines available over the counter) can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. Do not take benzphetamine with any other diet medications without your doctor's advice.

Benzphetamine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share benzphetamine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Benzphetamine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Benzphetamine is usually taken once each day, mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Talk with your doctor if you have increased hunger or if you otherwise think the medication is not working properly. Taking more of this medication will not make it more effective and can cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

Benzphetamine should be taken only for a short time, such as a few weeks. Tell your doctor if you have not lost any weight after 4 weeks of treatment.

Benzphetamine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Benzphetamine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Usual Adult Dose for Obesity:

Initial dose: 25 to 50 mg orally once a day in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, according to the patient's eating habits.

Maintenance dose: 25 to 50 mg orally one to three times a day; dose or frequency should be individualized based on the patient's needs and response.

Comments:
-It may be desirable to avoid late afternoon administration in some patients.
-Continue treatment only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (i.e., weight loss of at least 4 pounds, or as determined by the physician) to limit unwarranted exposure and risks.
-This drug is indicated for use as monotherapy only.

Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Initial dose (Age 12 to 17 years): 25 to 50 mg orally once a day in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, according to the patient's eating habits.

Maintenance dose (Age 12 to 17 years): 25 to 50 mg orally one to three times a day; dose or frequency should be individualized based on the patient's needs and response.

Comments:
-Use of this drug is not recommended in children under 12 years.
-It may be desirable to avoid late afternoon administration in some patients.
-Continue treatment only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (i.e., weight loss of at least 4 pounds, or as determined by the physician) to limit unwarranted exposure and risks.
-This drug is indicated for use as monotherapy only.

Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Do not use benzphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Taking benzphetamine together with other diet medications (including medicines available over the counter) can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. Do not take benzphetamine with any other diet medications without your doctor's advice.

You should not take benzphetamine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries);

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• overactive thyroid;

• glaucoma;

• if you are pregnant;

• if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse; or

• if you have used any other diet pills within the past year.

To make sure benzphetamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• high blood pressure;

• diabetes; or

• a thyroid disorder.

Benzphetamine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share benzphetamine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use benzphetamine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication.

Benzphetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking benzphetamine.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of benzphetamine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, panic, feeling hostile or aggressive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, muscle pain or weakness, dark colored urine, irregular heartbeat, weak pulse, slow breathing, feeling light-headed, seizure, or fainting.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of benzphetamine.

To prevent sleep problems, avoid taking this medication late in the afternoon.

Benzphetamine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Benzphetamine may cause serious side effects. Stop using benzphetamine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• confusion or irritability, unusual thoughts or behavior; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of benzphetamine may include:

• feeling restless or hyperactive;

• headache, dizziness, tremors;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• increased sweating;

• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• nausea, diarrhea upset stomach; or

• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with benzphetamine, especially:

• an antidepressant--citalopram, escitalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, vilazodone, and others; or

• a stimulant or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with benzphetamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.