Bontril is a trade name for phendimetrazine, it is similar to amphetamine. It is a sympathomimetic drug which acts on central nervous system by increasing heart rate and blood pressure; ultimately decreasing the appetite. It is a prescription drug used for obesity and overweight treatment. This drug is used along with low calorie diet and exercise, to reduce weight.

Bontril is manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The immediate-release formulation is available in 35 mg tablets and capsules. The sustained-release formulation is available in 105 mg capsules.

How Bontril works in the body:

A schedule II controlled substance (which has a relatively high potential for abuse/addiction), phendimetrazine/Bontril was approved for weight loss by the American Food and Drug Administration in 1961. Bontril acts on the central nervous system and suppresses the appetite centre; hence decreasing the potential for hunger. It also increases blood supply and blood pressure, thus a person will feel less hungry and will feel fuller for a longer time.

Bontril prescription and dosage:

Bontril is a strictly prescription drug as it may cause harmful effects if taken without doctors' consent, medical checkup and cross checking contraindications. IT also has an abusive and addictive element in it, so it should be strictly taken as par doctors' prescription and dosage. The medicine comes in the form of tablets and capsules, either sustained release or immediate release. The capsules should be swallowed whole as they are manufactured in a way to digest in the stomach. If the capsule is chewed, opened or broken to eat it may cause serious reactions.

The immediate-release formulation is available in 35 mg tablets and capsules. It should be taken twice or thrice per day, as the doctor suggests. Take it with a full glass of water, half an hour before the meal. Take it empty stomach. The sustained-release formulation is available in 105 mg capsules and should be taken only once per day, early morning with a full glass of water and should be taken empty stomach. Bontril should not be taken after evening as it may cause insomnia.

Side Effects:

Side effects usually are mild in nature and can be dealt with some other medicines or by adapting the habits. The milder symptoms are:

Restlessness.
Tremor.
Nervousness.
Anxiety.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Insomnia.
Dry mouth.
Unpleasant taste in mouth.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Impotence.
Changes in sex drive.

Be extremely cautious when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Bontril may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. There can be even some very serious side effects including:

An allergic reaction including difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, or face and/ or hives.
An irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure with severe headache and blurred vision.
Hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Precautions:

Special care is required for the use of Bontril in the following cases:

Disturbed thyroid gland.
Anxiety disorders.
Diabetes.
Hypertension.
Psychological disturbances.
Insomnia.
Epilepsy.
Pregnancy.
Lactating mothers.

Contraindications:

There are some extremely serious health conditions, which totally prohibit the use of Bontril and in these conditions the use of Bontril can be life threatening. These conditions are:

Heart patients.
Patients with fluctuating or uncontrolled hypertension.
Patients with pace maker.
Patients with arteriosclerosis.
Patients with glaucoma.
Patients who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.
Patients with history of drug (phendimetrazine) reaction or hypersensitivity.
Patients with history of drug abuse.
Patients with alcohol abuse.

Drug Interactions:

Bontril is known to have reactions with:

Bontril can not be taken along monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil). Even the use of MAO in last 14 days is also crucial.

Changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies may be necessary during treatment with Bontril.

Bontril may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin). This could lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin) may decrease the effects of Bontril.