|
What is Didrex
 Didrex
is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine.
It is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic"
drug. Didrex stimulates your central nervous system (nerves
and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure
and decreases your appetite.
Didrex
is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in
the treatment of obesity.
Didrex
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Didrex
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Didrex may cause
dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide
the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these
effects, avoid hazardous activities.
Didrex is habit
forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent
on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if
you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous
use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication
gradually.
Who should not take Didrex
You
cannot take Didrex if you:
- have heart
disease or high blood pressure;
- have arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries);
- have glaucoma;
-
have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine
(Nardil) in the last 14 days; or
- have a history
of drug or alcohol abuse.
Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you have:
- problems with your
thyroid,
- an anxiety disorder,
- epilepsy
or another seizure disorder, or
- diabetes.
You
may not be able to take Didrex, or you may require
a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Do not take
Didrex if you are pregnant. Didrex is in the FDA pregnancy
category X. This means that Didrex will cause birth defects
in an unborn baby.
It is not known whether Didrex
passes into breast milk. Do not take Didrex without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Didrex
Take
Didrex exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Didrex is usually
taken one to three times a day, before meals, on an empty
stomach. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not
take Didrex in the evening because it may cause insomnia.
Never take more of this medication than is prescribed
for you. Too much Didrex could be very dangerous to your
health.
Store Didrex at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose or if it is already
evening, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly
scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day will cause
insomnia. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Didrex overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid
breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and
seizures.
Avoid while taking Didrex
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Didrex may cause
dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide
the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these
effects, avoid hazardous activities.
Do not take
Didrex late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day
can cause insomnia.
Possible side effects of Didrex If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Didrex and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives);
- an irregular heartbeat or very high
blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or
-
hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.
Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Didrex and talk to your doctor if you experience
- restlessness or tremor,
- anxiety or nervousness
- headache or dizziness,
- insomnia,
-
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth,
-
diarrhea or constipation, or
- impotence or changes
in your sex drive.
Didrex is habit forming. You can
become physically and psychologically dependent on this
medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop
taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use.
Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems
unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Didrex You cannot take Didrex if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the
last 14 days.
Changes in insulin and other diabetes
drug therapies may be necessary during treatment with Didrex.
Didrex may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin).
This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your
doctor if you are taking guanethidine.
Before
taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking
a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline
(Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin). These drugs may decrease
the effects of Didrex.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Didrex.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
