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.

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.

Use Tenuate Dospan (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

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

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 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.

This medicine 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.