Why am I gaining weight on Phentermine?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Why are you gaining weight on Phentermine?
You could gain weight on Phentermine because of one or more of the following reasons:
- Your genetics
- Starvation
- Unhealthy food choices
- Lack of physical activity
- Concomitant use of Phentermine with other medications
Your genetics
Your genetics can play a major role when it comes to the effects of Phentermine. Some people do not respond well to this weight loss pill simply because of how their bodies react to it.
Make sure you take this medication if recommended by your healthcare provider. It is not something that suits everyone and it should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
Starvation
Starvation is often mistaken for the best weight loss trick, but it’s not and this is not what Phentermine aims to do as well. Yes, this medication does reduce your appetite but it definitely does not intend to make you starve (1).
Starvation does not make you lose weight, it actually damages your metabolism and makes it incredibly slow. Slow metabolism is not something you want when you’re trying to drop those stubborn pounds.
You need to boost your metabolism to see good changes in your body and starvation totally negates that. This could be the reason why you are not losing weight on Phentermine.
Make sure you eat good food and provide your body with all the necessary nutrients that are required by your normal physiological functioning.
Unhealthy food choices
Unhealthy food choices could be another reason why you might not be losing weight on Phentermine. This weight loss pill should be paired with a good diet and exercise to work ideally. It’s not a magic pill that makes you lose weight while you enjoy nachos.
If you’re gaining weight on Phentermine, make sure you have a good diet. If you do eat all the right foods but still continue to gain weight, reach out to your healthcare provider.
Lack of physical activity
Lack of physical activity could be another reason why you’re gaining weight on Phentermine. Exercise is essential to help you burn those extra pounds in a healthy way.
It tones your body and protects your skin from getting loose. It also helps boost your immunity and keeps you healthy, both physically and mentally.
Concomitant use of Phentermine with other medications
Phentermine may make you gain weight if you have paired it with some other medication that may make your weight loss pill ineffective. Drug interactions could affect the absorption of Phentermine in your body which can make the drug less effective.
Make sure you don’t pair any other medication with Phentermine without your doctor’s approval.
How to ensure effective treatment with Phentermine?
To ensure safe and effective weight loss of Phentermine, you have to opt for an overall healthy lifestyle. Medications can facilitate weight loss, for sure, but they are not enough on their own. You have to pair a good diet, exercise, and stress management with medications for healthier and more effective weight loss.
The use of medications like Phentermine is not generally considered suitable for someone who is capable and healthy enough to lose weight on their own and it is impossible to achieve weight loss without incorporating healthy habits into your routine.
If you are struggling with the right kinds of food or a proper workout regimen, you can always seek professional help. Your dietitian can customize a meal plan based on your body’s needs and as far as exercising is concerned, you can simply start walking 5000-10000 steps per day.
The best way for a beginner to start exercising is to take it slow and not start spending hours on it right away. Walking for 15-30 minutes is a good, healthy start to help your body adjust first. Once you feel like it’s getting easier for you, you can start working harder.
It is also important to note that you should take Phentermine properly and just as directed by your healthcare provider to make the most out of it.
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References
1.-
National Library of Medicine. US National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus: Phentermine [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (NIH); [updated 2021 Apr 15; cited 2023 Apr 28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682187.html
2.-
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. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30900410/
