Can Phentermine cause acid reflux?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can Phentermine cause acid reflux?
No, Phentermine does not generally cause acid reflux. This is not listed as a side effect of this medication and was not reported in any of the clinical trials. However, people always respond differently to medications.
Some people may find Phentermine generally heavy on their stomach and some may experience mild heartburn. If you’re struggling with acid reflux, make sure you rule other factors out.
Even if Phentermine is the one causing this side effect, it’s not bound to stay. Most side effects begin to subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Phentermine is generally recommended to take on an empty stomach and GI side effects are not commonly reported. (1)
Meanwhile, you can try OTC acid reducers like Omeprazole for a few weeks or as long as your acid reflux stays. If your symptoms are severe and are affecting the quality of your life, reach out to your healthcare provider.
What factors can contribute to acid reflux while taking Phentermine?
While acid reflux is not a commonly reported side effect of Phentermine, there are some factors that could potentially contribute to its occurrence. One possible factor is the relaxation of the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES), a muscular ring that separates the stomach from the oesophagus. (2,3)
When the LES is relaxed, stomach acid can flow back into the oesophagus, leading to acid reflux. So make sure you talk to your healthcare provider and rule it out.
Certain lifestyle habits and behaviours, such as consuming acidic or spicy foods, eating large meals, lying down after eating, or smoking, can also increase the likelihood of acid reflux.
Additionally, individual factors such as a history of gastrointestinal issues or a predisposition to acid reflux may make some individuals more susceptible to experiencing acid reflux while taking Phentermine.
It’s important to note that if you are experiencing persistent or severe acid reflux symptoms, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.
Best tips to manage acid reflux while taking Phentermine
To manage acid reflux while taking Phentermine, there are several strategies you can try:
- Avoid trigger foods: Identify and avoid foods and beverages that tend to trigger or worsen your acid reflux symptoms. These may include spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty or fried foods (4).
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Instead of large meals, try eating smaller portions throughout the day to reduce the pressure on your stomach and minimize acid reflux.
- Don’t lie down immediately after eating: Wait at least two to three hours after a meal before lying down or going to bed. This allows your food to digest properly and reduces the chances of acid reflux.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen, which can contribute to acid reflux.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can weaken the lower oesophagal sphincter and increase acid reflux symptoms. Quitting smoking can provide numerous health benefits, including a reduction in acid reflux symptoms.
- Consider over-the-counter medications: Antacids or acid reducers (H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors) may provide temporary relief from acid reflux symptoms. However, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication.
If you are experiencing persistent or severe acid reflux, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. They may recommend additional medications or adjustments to your treatment plan to help manage your symptoms effectively.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Lewis KH, Fischer H, Ard J, Barton L, Bessesen DH, Daley MF, Desai J, Fitzpatrick SL, Horberg M, Koebnick C, Oshiro C, Yamamoto A, Young DR, Arterburn DE. Safety and Effectiveness of Longer-Term Phentermine Use: Clinical Outcomes from an Electronic Health Record Cohort. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019 Apr;27(4):591-602. doi: 10.1002/oby.22430. PMID: 30900410. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30900410/
2.-
Kellerman R, Kintanar T. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Prim Care. 2017 Dec;44(4):561-573. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Oct 5. PMID: 29132520. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29132520/
3.-
Clarrett DM, Hachem C. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Mo Med. 2018 May-Jun;115(3):214-218. PMID: 30228725; PMCID: PMC6140167. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140167/
4.-
Surdea-Blaga T, Negrutiu DE, Palage M, Dumitrascu DL. Food and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Curr Med Chem. 2019;26(19):3497-3511. doi: 10.2174/0929867324666170515123807. PMID: 28521699. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28521699/