There are many medicines for weight loss. How to choose the one that’s right for you? In this article, we will compare two popular drugs: Didrex and Phentermine.
| Didrex | Phentermine | |
| Active substance | Benzphetamine | Phentermine hydrochloride |
| Drug class | CNS stimulant and appetite suppressant | |
| Intended for | Adults with a body mass index of 30 or more | Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Or for those with a BMI ≥27 and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension |
| Generic availability | Yes | Yes |
| Approved for use | No more than 12 weeks | 12 weeks, with a possibility of extension |
| Common body effect | Both drugs stimulate the CNS to increase heart rate and suppress appetite | |
| Specific effect | Increased metabolism | Increased energy level |
| Dosage form | Tablets | Tablets and capsules |
| Doses used | Available in a dosage of 50 mg. A maximum daily dose is 150 mg or three tablets (in the morning, afternoon and evening) | Available in dosages of 8 mg, 15 mg, 18.75 mg, 30 mg and 37.5 mg. A maximum daily dose is 37,5 mg. |
| Possible side effects |
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| Warnings | They can increase blood pressure and heart rate | |
| Contraindications | It is not suitable for people with:
| It is not suitable for people with:
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| Special conditions | Don’t take Didrex if you used another weight loss drug within the previous 12 months. | In rare cases, if you don’t follow the dosing regimen, taking Phentermine can lead to a stroke. |
Don’t take these two drugs at the same time.
Which of these drugs is more effective?
Studies have shown that people who took Didrex lost an average of 1 pound or 0.45 kg per week. That is, within 12 weeks (the maximum approved period for the drug’s use), the average weight loss will be 12 pounds or 5.44 kg.
In another study, using Phentermine for 14 weeks resulted in an average weight loss of about 7.2 kg.
So, you can consider Phentermine a more effective weight loss remedy than Didrex.
Conclusion
Didrex and Phentermine work about the same.
Their differences include:
- Active ingredients;
- Dosage forms;
- Possible side effects;
- Treatment duration;
- Some other characteristics;
- Dosage. Phentermine has a broader range of available dosages, which is more convenient for consumers.
However, only a doctor must decide which weight loss product to use for each individual, considering all available information.
