Is Phentermine a Controlled Substance in 2024?

January 9, 2024 |

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Phentermine is a stimulant that can be obtained with a prescription. And it is classified as a controlled substance because it has the potential to cause addiction.

Phentermine is a common appetite suppressant that helps people lose weight. No prescription can take the place of a balanced diet and regular exercise. But drugs like phentermine can aid those unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

We’ll go over what phentermine is, why it’s a controlled substance, the requirements for getting it, how to get it, and where to get it in this article.

Is Phentermine Considered a Controlled Substance?

Phentermine is a weight-loss medication used with a healthy diet and exercise program to manage obesity. It works by decreasing appetite and increasing the calories we burn daily.

However, Phentermine is not a dietary supplement but a prescription-only stimulant because it has the potential to lead to addiction. Thus, it is considered a controlled substance.

Controlled substances are illegal drugs or prescription medications regulated by the Controlled Substances Act in the United States (CSA).

The five drug schedules are:

  • Schedule I: Ecstasy, Marijuana, LSD, heroin, and peyote
  • Schedule II: Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, oxycodone, Vicodin, and Adderall
  • Schedule III: Testosterone, Anabolic steroids, and Ketamine
  • Schedule IV: Ambien, Xanax, Valium, and Ativan
  • Schedule V: Antitussive drugs (cough suppressants).

Phentermine is classified as a Schedule IV drug, which means it is a controlled substance with a high potential for misuse. However, the actual risk appears to be modest.

It was licensed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959 for use in people over 16 for up to 12 weeks.

Today, phentermine is sold under Adipex-P, Lomaira, and Suprenza and can be used independently. It’s also found in weight-loss combination medications such as Qsymia. These drugs combine phentermine with topiramate.

What Do I Need To Buy Phentermine?

Phentermine Prescription

Phentermine is a regulated substance; hence, you must have a valid prescription from a physician to purchase it.

However, before a physician can prescribe this drug for you, they need to obtain the PA (Prior Authorization) form. The doctor in charge can get the form from your health insurance company, which can take as long as 10 days.

Other than your physician, you can also personally request the form directly from your insurance company.

You might be wondering why you need a go-ahead from your health insurance company.

There are a few reasons which include:

  • Your insurance company needs to evaluate your health and determine if you need the drug
  • They can figure out a cheaper alternative for you to use and reduce the amount of money you spend
  • The insurance company can provide safer drug alternatives

Most patients obtain phentermine from their family or primary care physician after getting approval from their insurance company.

Primary care providers are aware of your medical history, current medications, allergies, and weight fluctuations over time. They are uniquely positioned to consider the benefits and drawbacks of a phentermine prescription.

They will consider the following before prescribing phentermine:

  • Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Previous weight loss attempts
  • Vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)
  • Health history and weight
  • Supplements and additional drugs
  • The general state of health

Who can Prescribe Phentermine?

Although phentermine can be prescribed by any doctor, not all doctors can or feel comfortable doing so.

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist if they believe you are suitable for phentermine.

Doctors who specialize in weight loss are called “bariatric physicians.” Bariatrician is more knowledgeable about research results concerning phentermine for weight reduction.

They are frequently more inclined to prescribe it if necessary.

If you’re obese and having trouble getting pregnant, your gynecologists may recommend taking phentermine during your fertility treatment to jump-start weight loss.

Since it suppresses appetite, it can be particularly effective if you also follow a calorie-restricted diet.

You can also consider a weight loss clinic if any of the following applies to you:

  • No health insurance
  • No primary care physician
  • Unable to get a phentermine prescription from a doctor in your network

Bariatric experts with further training in obesity management are frequently employed by clinics specializing in weight loss. For this reason, they might be more receptive to the notion of administering phentermine.

Weight loss clinics are not, however, the ideal option.

Many people reside far from the closest weight-loss clinic, making follow-ups challenging.

Additionally, a new doctor who is not your primary care provider might rely solely on self-reported information, which is frequently unreliable or wrong.

Both of these reasons will pose a significant challenge to acquiring a prescription.

Alternatively, you could try the PhenQ supplement, which combines natural elements, minerals, and dietary fibers to effortlessly help with weight loss. In general, PhenQ is risk-free and without side effects. You can purchase it directly from their website and enjoy these benefits without a prescription.

What Qualifies you to Take Phentermine?

To be qualified, you must try out other natural weight loss methods such as exercise, a healthy diet, and behavioral therapy. Patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 are eligible to take phentermine.

Phentermine can also be used when a patient’s BMI is life-threatening.

High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension) are weight-related illnesses that could make a patient with a lower BMI a candidate for phentermine.

Patients who now or formerly have cardiovascular disease (heart issues), glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, agitated states, drug or alcohol misuse, or adverse reactions to sympathomimetic amines should not avoid phentermine.

Children and adults under the age of 17 should not take phentermine.

The prescribing physician and pharmacist should be informed of all other drugs and dietary supplements taken within the previous two weeks, as phentermine has numerous possible drug interactions (for instance, with MAOIs).

Phentermine is pregnancy category X. Hence neither breastfeeding mothers nor expectant mothers should ever take it.

Countries Where You Can Legally Buy Phentermine

Phentermine was first approved in the United States in 1959.

But it has since gained international recognition as a quick and effective weight loss remedy. Doctors in dozens of nations are already prescribing phentermine to their patients, expecting significant weight loss in only a few months.

Phentermine is widely produced and distributed in the following countries and can be obtained with a valid doctor’s prescription:

  • United States (Florida, Texas etc)
  • Mexico
  • Australia

Phentermine is not legally available in:

  • Canada
  • Spain
  • England

Countries like France generally regard phentermine as a narcotic. The offense of taking this drug is treated on the same level as when taking other narcotics like marijuana.

Can I Buy Phentermine Online?

Yes, you can purchase phentermine online as long as you have a prescription from your doctor.

You need to give the online pharmacy a prescription to purchase a scheduled drug like phentermine. The pharmacy will fill your prescription list and mail the drug to you.

Be aware of any online pharmacy offering phentermine at an absurdly low cost and without a prescription. Such pharmacies are likely to be operating illegally or peddling fake medications.

Purchasing from unregistered internet pharmacies carries the following dangers:

  • Possibility of being supplied a fake or expired drug.
  • There are legal repercussions for illegal purchases if caught.

Even if you purchase the right product, you need a doctor to direct its usage.

If you want a weight loss supplement with zero side effects and no restrictions, try out PhenQ. More on PhenQ later.

Can I Get Phentermine Without a Prescription?

No, buying phentermine without a prescription is impossible.

However, some local and online chemists might illegally offer this drug for sale. Purchasing phentermine without a prescription is risky, and such a practice should never be engaged in.

Phentermine is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of obesity. It has been subject to multiple FDA warnings for illegal sales and safety concerns.

Phentermine users risk some of its major side effects of wrong dosage or contraindication. Because of this, purchasing phentermine without a legitimate prescription from your doctor will only expose you to possible side effects which might be detrimental to your health.

When buying phentermine without a prescription from an online pharmacy, customers have found it difficult to find the best medication.

In some cases, the drugs do not contain phentermine at all.

Some unscrupulous online pharmacies sell counterfeit phentermine. These products may be produced in unsanitary conditions and can increase the risk of dangerous side effects.

The DEA stated, “Medications delivered through illegal websites may be contaminated or expired, have the improper concentration level, or have no dosage directions.”

Which Drug is Like Phentermine?

If you are looking for a safer weight loss alternative, PhenQ is one of the best options.

It is legal to purchase online without a prescription. PhenQ is a natural weight loss product that works in five efficient ways to aid in weight loss.

Fitness enthusiasts love this reliable dietary supplement for its all-natural weight loss solutions.

With a combination of nutrients that will give you more energy, PhenQ can also help you stop the energy slumps from dieting. Natural components capable of eliminating all those irritable feelings during your weight loss journey were included.

Although phentermine has a lot of health benefits when used for weight loss, it is classified as a controlled substance due to its addictive nature.

However, you can now opt-in for a better weight loss and appetite suppressant alternative like PhenQ, and have it legally delivered to your doorstep without restrictions.

FAQs

Is Phentermine a Narcotic?

Phentermine is not a narcotic. Although phentermine and narcotics are both controlled substances that have the potential to be abused and should only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription, they are different.

Narcotics are opioid painkillers.

They are only used in extreme pain that other medications cannot relieve. For instance, people with persistent headaches and backaches, those recovering from surgery, or those dealing with excruciating pain from cancer.

Can Phentermine Cause A Positive Drug Test?

Taking phentermine can result in testing positive for amphetamines in a drug test.

A drug test checks your urine, saliva, breath, or blood to see whether it contains drugs and their inactive metabolites (wastes). However, since phentermine is similar to amphetamine in structure, it can cause a false positive and show up during drug tests for amphetamines.

Amphetamines are controlled substances and must be reported to prospective employers by law. To avoid legal penalties, you need to present a medical prescription from your doctor for phentermine.

Your examiner may also perform more tests to confirm the initial drug test results.

Final Thoughts

Phentermine is a Schedule IV drug, meaning it has a low potential for abuse and dependence. It is considered safe when used as directed by a physician. While phentermine may not be right for everyone, it can be an effective weight-loss tool when used properly.

If you’re interested in trying phentermine to help with your weight loss goals, please speak with your doctor to see if it’s the right option for you. Or preferably consider PhenQ – my personal diet pill recommendation.

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