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

Diethylpropion is used as together with diet and exercise to treat obesity in people who have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kilograms per square meter.

Diethylpropion is usually given after diet and exercise have been tried without success.

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

You should not take diethylpropion if you are in an agitated state, or if you have pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe high blood pressure, or a history of drug abuse.

Do not use diethylpropion if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not take diethylpropion together with any other diet pills unless your doctor tells you to.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use diethylpropion in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Diethylpropion may be habit-forming. Never share diethylpropion 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. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

The immediate-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken three times a day before meals.

The extended-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken once a day midmorning.

Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the medicine for 4 weeks along with a low calorie diet.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using diethylpropion. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using diethylpropion suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of your medicine. Diethylpropion 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:

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.

CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Indicated for monotherapy use only.
-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Over 16 years of age:
IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.

CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Indicated for monotherapy use only.
-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.

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

Do not use diethylpropion 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.

You should not use diethylpropion if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• pulmonary hypertension;

• severe coronary artery disease;

• severe high blood pressure;

• an overactive thyroid;

• a history of drug abuse;

• glaucoma; or

• if you are in an agitated state.

Do not take diethylpropion with any other diet pills unless your doctor tells you to. Taking diethylpropion in combination with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension.

To make sure diethylpropion is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• high blood pressure;

• a heart valve disorder or heart rhythm disorder;

• seizures or epilepsy; or

• if you have taken any other diet pills within the past 12 months.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. If you use diethylpropion while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Diethylpropion can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Diethylpropion is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 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.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, panic, aggression, or seizure.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Follow your doctor's directions. Eat a low-calorie, well-balanced diet.

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

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

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

Diethylpropion may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, feeling short of breath (especially with exertion);

• swelling in your ankles or feet;

• anxiety, feeling nervous or jittery;

• muscle twitches;

• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest; or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects of diethylpropion may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, constipation;

• headache, blurred vision;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;

• depressed mood;

• dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• decreased sex drive; or

• redness, bruising, or 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 your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• insulin or oral diabetes medicines;

• blood pressure medicine; or

• medicine to treat mental illness.

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

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your response to diethylpropion.

Diethylpropion may affect blood sugar levels of diabetic patients and may cover up some signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests, check with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.