Phentermine is a prescription weight loss drug which got its approval by FDA in 1959 under the name of appetite suppressant drugs. It first became available in the market in 1970 under the name of ‘Fastin’ from King Pharmaceuticals for Smith Kline Beecham. But it was taken off from the markets in 1998. Since its approval from the FDA no clinical studies have been taken out on Phentermine diet pills except for the one in 1990 in which phentermine was coupled with another drug called fenfluramine. This combination was called Fen-Phen.
This hybrid variety was never approved by the FDA even though it was found to be more effective in weight reduction than dieting or exercising. However in 1997, 24 cases of heart valve diseases were reported by the use of Fen-Phen because of which it was removed from the market as per FDA’s orders. But phentermine continued to sell in the market. Currently phentermine is being sold in the market under various brand names of which the most popular are ‘Iona in’ produced by Medieval Pharmacy and ‘Adieux-P’ produced by Gate Pharmacy. Since phentermine has addictive properties it is classified as a controlled substance in certain nations.
