What is this medication?

DIETHYLPROPION (dye eth il PROE pee on) decreases your appetite. It is used with a reduced calorie diet and exercise to help you lose weight. This medicine is only meant to be used for a few weeks.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Depletite # 2, Radtue, Tenuate

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•agitation

•glaucoma

•high blood pressure

•history of drug dependence or substance abuse

•hyperthyroid

•kidney or liver disease

•lung disease

•valvular heart disease

•an unusual or allergic reaction to diethylpropion, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine 1 hour before meals. If a meal is missed, do not take that dose. An additional tablet may be taken in the mid evening if needed for night time hunger. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 16 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take a dose as soon as you can with the next meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•fluoxetine

•MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

•medicines for colds or breathing difficulties like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine

•other medicines or herbal products for weight loss or to decrease appetite

•procarbazine

•sibutramine

•stimulants like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate or modafinil

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•general anesthetics

•insulin and other medicines for diabetes

•medicines for high blood pressure

•phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You need to closely monitor your weight loss. If your rate of weight loss slows down or stops, you may need to stop the medicine, and restart after a time without the medicine.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•angry, confusion, more nervous, restless

•breast growth in men

•breathing problems

•changes in vision

•chest pain

•difficulty with balance

•fast, irregular heartbeat

•hallucinations

•nausea, vomiting

•seizures

•tremors

•trouble sleeping

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•constipation or diarrhea

•dry mouth or unpleasant taste

•flushing of the skin

•hair loss

•headache

•increase or decrease in sexual desire or performance

•menstrual irregularity

•red or itchy skin

•upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

This medicine may cause accidental overdose and death if taken by other adults, children, or pets. Mix any unused medicine with a substance like cat litter or coffee grounds. Then throw the medicine away in a sealed container like a sealed bag or a coffee can with a lid. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from heat. Keep container tightly closed.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.