Tenuate (diethylpropion) is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an "anorectic" or an "anorexigenic" drug. Tenuate stimulates your central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.
Tenuate is used as together with diet and exercise to treat of obesity.
Tenuate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Taking Tenuate in combination with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can cause serious or life threatening medical problems. Do not use any other diet medications while taking Tenuate, unless your doctor tells you to.
You should not take Tenuate if you are allergic to diethylpropion or if you have pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of drug or alcohol addiction, if you are agitated, or if you are taking any other diet pills. Do not use Tenuate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before you take Tenuate, tell your doctor if you have a heart murmur, heart valve disorder, heart rhythm disorder, epilepsy, or if you have taken other diet pills within the past 12 months.
Tenuate may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Diethylpropion may also cause restless feelings that can hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Tenuate may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep Tenuate in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not stop using Tenuate suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Tenuate.
Before taking this medicine
Taking Tenuate in combination with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can cause serious or life threatening medical problems. Do not use any other diet medications while taking Tenuate, unless your doctor tells you to. You should not take this medication if you are allergic to diethylpropion or similar medicines (stimulants, diet pills, cold or allergy medicines), or if you have:
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pulmonary hypertension;
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severe coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
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glaucoma;
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overactive thyroid;
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severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
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a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
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if you are in an agitated state; or
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if you are taking any other appetite suppressants or diet pills.
Do not use Tenuate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
To make sure you can safely take Tenuate, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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a heart murmur, heart valve disorder, or heart rhythm disorder;
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
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if you have taken other diet pills within the past 12 months.
Tenuate may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share Tenuate with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category B. Tenuate is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Diethylpropion can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Tenuate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 16 years old.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I take Tenuate?
Take Tenuate exactly as prescribed. Never take Tenuate in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your hunger.
Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the medication for 4 weeks along with a low calorie diet.
Tenuate is usually taken once a day in the midmorning.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Store Tenuate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Tenuate is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is already evening. Wait until the next morning to take your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid?
Tenuate may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Tenuate may also cause restless feelings that can hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Tenuate.
Tenuate side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tenuate: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Tenuate and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
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chest pain, feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion);
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feeling like you might pass out;
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swelling in your ankles or feet;
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confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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muscle movements you cannot control; or
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sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.
Less serious Tenuate side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
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headache, blurred vision;
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feeling nervous, anxious, or jittery;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
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depressed mood;
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dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth;
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decreased sex drive; or
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mild itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Tenuate?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
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insulin or oral diabetes medication;
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blood pressure medication; or
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stimulants, cold or allergy medicines, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) medicine such as Adderall or Ritalin.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Tenuate. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
