Diethylpropion hydrochloride should not be used in combination with other anorectic agents, including prescribed drugs, over-the-counter preparations, and herbal products.
In a case-control epidemiological study, the use of anorectic agents, including diethylpropion, was associated with an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, a rare, but often fatal disorder. The use of anorectic agents for longer than 3 months was associated with a 23-fold increase in the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. Increased risk of pulmonary hypertension with repeated courses of therapy cannot be excluded.
The onset or aggravation of exertional dyspnea, or unexplained symptoms of angina pectoris, syncope, or lower extremity edema suggest the possibility of occurrence of pulmonary hypertension. Under these circumstances, diethylpropion hydrochloride should be immediately discontinued, and the patient should be evaluated for the possible presence of pulmonary hypertension.
Valvular heart disease associated with the use of some anorectic agents such as fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine has been reported. Possible contributing factors include use for extended periods of time, higher than recommended dose, and/or use in combination with other anorectic drugs. Valvulopathy has been very rarely reported with diethylpropion hydrochloride monotherapy, but the causal relationship remains uncertain. The potential risk of possible serious adverse effects such as valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension should be assessed carefully against the potential benefit of weight loss. Baseline cardiac evaluation should be considered to detect preexisting valvular heart diseases or pulmonary hypertension prior to initiation of diethylpropion hydrochloride treatment. Diethylpropion hydrochloride is not recommended in patients with known heart murmur or valvular heart disease. Echocardiogram during and after treatment could be useful for detecting any valvular disorders which may occur.
To limit unwarranted exposure and risks, treatment with diethylpropion hydrochloride should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds, or as determined by the physician and patient).
Diethylpropion hydrochloride is not recommended for patients who used any anorectic agents within the prior year.
If tolerance develops, the recommended dose should not be exceeded in an attempt to increase the effect; rather, the drug should be discontinued. Diethylpropion hydrochloride may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle; the patient should therefore be cautioned accordingly.
Prolonged use of diethylpropion hydrochloride may induce dependence with withdrawal syndrome on cessation of therapy. Hallucinations have occurred rarely following high doses of the drug. Several cases of toxic psychosis have been reported following the excessive use of the drug and some have been reported in which the recommended dose appears not to have been exceeded. Psychosis abated after the drug was discontinued.
When central nervous system active agents are used, consideration must always be given to the possibility of adverse interactions with alcohol.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride is indicated in the management of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher and who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone. Below is a chart of BMI based on various heights and weights. BMI is calculated by taking the patient’s weight, in kilograms (kg), divided by the patient’s height, in meters (m), squared. Metric conversions are as follows: pounds divided by 2.2 = kg; inches x 0.0254 = meters.
Body Mass Index (BMI), kg/m2
Weight (pounds)
Height (feet, inches)
5’0”
5’3”
5’6”
5’9”
6’0”
6’3”
140
27
25
23
21
19
18
150
29
27
24
22
20
19
160
31
28
26
24
22
20
170
33
30
28
25
23
21
180
35
32
29
27
25
23
190
37
34
31
28
26
24
200
39
36
32
30
27
25
210
41
37
34
31
29
26
220
43
39
36
33
30
28
230
45
41
37
34
31
29
240
47
43
39
36
33
30
250
49
44
40
37
34
31
The usefulness of agents of this class (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY) should be measured against possible risk factors inherent in their use such as those described below. Diethylpropion hydrochloride is indicated for use as monotherapy only.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride is available for oral administration in immediate-release tablets containing 25 mg diethylpropion hydrochloride and in controlled-release tablets containing 75 mg diethylpropion hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients in each immediate-release tablet are: cornstarch, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized cornstarch, talc, and tartaric acid. The inactive ingredients in each controlled-release tablet are: carbomer 934P, mannitol, povidone, tartaric acid, zinc stearate. Diethylpropion hydrochloride is a sympathomimetic agent. The chemical name for diethylpropion hydrochloride is 1-phenyl-2-diethylamino-1-propanone hydrochloride.
Its chemical structure is:
The diethylpropion hydrochloride 75 mg formulation is dispersed in a hydrophilic matrix. On exposure to water, the diethylpropion hydrochloride is released at a relatively uniform rate as a result of slow hydration of the matrix. The result is controlled release of the anorectic agent.
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
Diethylpropion Hcl Immediate-release | Keltman Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride immediate-release:
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
Diethylpropion Hcl Immediate-release | Pd-rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride immediate-release:
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
Diethylpropion Hcl Immediate-release | Physicians Total Care, Inc.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride immediate-release:
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
Diethylpropion Hcl Immediate-release | Actavis Pharma, Inc.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride immediate-release:
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)
One immediate-release 25 mg tablet three times daily, one hour before meals, and in midevening if desired to overcome night hunger.
Diethylpropion hydrochloride controlled-release:
One controlled-release 75 mg tablet daily, swallowed whole, in midmorning.
Geriatric Use:
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.)