Tenuate is the brand name for Diethylpropion. Diethylpropion is a sympathomimetic amine which is similar to the prototype drug in this group: amphetamine. It is prescribed for its extensive actions to reduce appetite, to treat patients suffering from obesity and health risks relating obesity. Tenuate is manufactured and supplied in two forms:

Tenuate 25 mg--white, round tablets. Supplied in a bottle of 100 tablets. One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.

Tenuate Dospan Sustained Release 75 mg--white, capsule-shaped tablets. Supplied in bottles of 100 and 250 tablets each. One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.

Understanding how Tenuate works in the body:

Tenuate falls under the group which is characterized as anorectics or anorexigenics. These drugs are used to treat the obese and over weight patients. Tenuate works on the central nervous system and suppresses the appetite center, reducing the appetite. It also increases the blood pressure. Adult obese patients instructed in dietary management and treated with Tenuate lose more weight on the average than those treated with placebo and diet. Tenuate is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract after oral administration and is extensively metabolized through a complex pathway of biotransformation involving N-dealkylation and reduction. Tenuate is excreted out from the body through kidneys; hence increased water intake is very necessary for adequate removal of drug through urine.

Precautions:

Patients with a family history or personal history of hypertension.
Patient susceptible to serious heart diseases.
Patients with arrhythmias.
Patients with tachycardia.
Patient who want to be a mother soon.
Patients who have mild Diabetes.
Patients with convulsive disorders.
Stressed out patients.

Side Effects:

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

In some patients serious side effects can be observed due to hypersensitivity or over dosage. Manifestations of acute overdosage include restlessness, tremor, hyperreflexia, rapid respiration, confusion, assaultiveness, hallucinations, panic states, and mydriasis. Fatigue and depression usually follow the central stimulation. Whereas on the other hand, the allergic reaction may manifest with urticaria, hives, skin itching, difficulty in breathing, abdominal cramps, shooting headaches and convulsions.

Contraindications:

It is very important to acknowledge who can take Tenuate and who can not. The following list comprises the list of people who can not take Tenuate in any case:

Patients who have advanced have heart disease.
Patients with high blood pressure.
Patients with advanced arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Glaucoma patients.
Patients who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.
People having a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Pregnant and breast feeding women.
Agitated elderly patients.
Children under 12 years of age.
Patients of Epilepsy or any advanced seizure disorders.
Patients with Hyperthyroidism.
Patients allergic to Diethylpropion or Amphetamine.

Drug Interactions:

Patient cannot take diethylpropion if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.

Insulin and other oral anti diabetic drugs may also hamper the effects of each other, so the insulin or other anti diabetic drug would need the dose to be adjusted.

Diethylpropion may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin). This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking guanethidine.

Before taking this medication, it is very important for the doctor to know whether the patient has been taking these medications or not; tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin). These drugs may decrease the effects of diethylpropion.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with diethylpropion. The patient should talk to the doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Tenuate is not an over the counter drug, so should never be taken without the consent of the doctor.