APPETITE SUPPRESSANT DOSING








Benzphetamine IR (Didrex®)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 25 mg
  • 50 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Starting: 25 - 50 mg once daily
  • Maintenance: 25 - 50 mg one to three times a day
  • Max: 150 mg/day
  • Take midmorning
Kidney disease
  • Benzphetamine has not been studied in kidney disease
Liver disease
  • Benzphetamine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule III
  • Tablets are scored so they may be cut in two

Diethylpropion IR (Tenuate®)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 25 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 25 mg three times a day
  • Max: 100 mg/day
  • Take one hour before meals
  • A midevening dose may be added to overcome night hunger
Kidney disease
  • Diethylpropion is extensively excreted in the urine, and exposure is increased in kidney disease. Use caution.
Liver disease
  • Diethylpropion has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule IV
  • Usual starting dose is 25 mg three times a day before meals
  • May take a fourth dose midevening to overcome night hunger

Diethylpropion ER (Tenuate Dospan®)

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended-release
  • 75 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 75 mg once daily
  • Max: 75 mg once daily
  • Take midmorning
Kidney disease
  • Diethylpropion is extensively excreted in the urine, and exposure is increased in kidney disease. Use caution.
Liver disease
  • Diethylpropion has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule IV
  • Do not cut, chew, or crush tablet

Phendimetrazine IR (Bontril® PDM)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 35 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 35 mg two to three times a day
  • Max: 210 mg/day (2 tablets 3 times a day)
  • Take one hour before meals
Kidney disease
  • Phendimetrazine is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and exposure is increased in renal disease. Use caution.
Liver disease
  • Phendimetrazine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule III
  • In some cases, half a tablet (17.5 mg) per dose may be adequate
  • Tablets are scored so they may be cut in two

Phendimetrazine ER (Bontril®)

Dosage forms

Capsule, extended-release
  • 105 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 105 mg once daily
  • Max: 105 mg once daily
  • Take 30 - 60 minutes before morning meal
Kidney disease
  • Phendimetrazine is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and exposure is increased in renal disease. Use caution.
Liver disease
  • Phendimetrazine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule III

Phentermine IR (Adipex-P®)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 37.5 mg
Capsule
  • 15 mg
  • 30 mg
  • 37.5 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 37.5 mg once daily
  • Max: 37.5 mg once daily
  • Tablet can be split and given twice a day
  • May take before breakfast or 1-2 hours after breakfast
  • Phentermine patient handout
Kidney disease
  • CrCl ≥ 30 ml/min: no dose adjustment necessary
  • CrCl 15 - 29 ml/min: maximum dose is 15 mg/day
  • CrCl < 15 ml/min: DO NOT USE
Liver disease
  • Phentermine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- YES/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule IV
  • For some patients, half tablet (18.75 mg) daily may be adequate
  • In some cases, it may be desirable to give half tablets (18.75 mg) two times a day
  • Tablets are scored so that they may be cut in two

Phentermine IR (Lomaira™)

Dosage forms

Tablet
  • 8 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 1 tablet three times a day 30 minutes before meals
  • Max: 8 mg three times a day
  • Take 30 minutes before meals
  • Tablet may be halved for 4 mg dose
Kidney disease
  • CrCl ≥ 30 ml/min: no dose adjustment necessary
  • CrCl 15 - 29 ml/min: maximum dose is 15 mg/day
  • CrCl < 15 ml/min: DO NOT USE
Liver disease
  • Phentermine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- NO/$

Other

  • DEA Schedule IV
  • Tablets are scored so that they may be halved

Phentermine (Suprenza™)

Dosage forms

Tablet, orally-disintegrating
  • 15 mg
  • 30 mg
  • 37.5 mg

Dosing

Weight loss
  • Dosing: 15 - 37.5 mg once daily
  • Max: 37.5 mg once daily
  • May be taken without regard to food
Kidney disease
  • CrCl ≥ 30 ml/min: no dose adjustment necessary
  • CrCl 15 - 29 ml/min: maximum dose is 15 mg/day
  • CrCl < 15 ml/min: DO NOT USE
Liver disease
  • Phentermine has not been studied in liver disease

Generic / Price

- NO/$$$$

Other

  • DEA Schedule IV
  • Place tablet on tongue where it will dissolve, then swallow with or without water







Pricing legend
  • $ = 0 - $50
  • $$ = $51 - $100
  • $$$ = $101 - $150
  • $$$$ = > $151
  • Pricing based on one month of therapy at standard dosing in an adult
  • Pricing based on information from GoodRX.com®
  • Pricing may vary by region and availability