The key difference between phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate is that phentermine is useful in treating obesity, whereas phendimetrazine tartrate is useful as a stimulant drug.
The drugs phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate have different applications due to their different mode of actions inside our body.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Phentermine
3. What is Phendimetrazine Tartrate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Phentermine vs Phendimetrazine Tartrate in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Phentermine?
Phentermine is a medication that is useful in treating obesity along with proper diet and exercise. This is a drug that is sold under the brand name “Ionamin”. We can take this drug orally for few weeks, but its beneficial effects tend to stop after this time period. This drug is also available as a combination of phentermine and topiramate. There are some other trade names as well, including Adipex-p, Duromine, Metermine, and Suprenza. The drug class to which phentermine belongs is the appetite suppressant drug class.
There are some common side effects of using phentermine, including a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, trouble sleeping, and dizziness. However, there can be some severe side effects as well, including abuse which do not include pulmonary hypertension, valvular heart disease, etc. In chemical terms, phentermine is a substituted amphetamine.
Moreover, the bioavailability of this drug is very high (almost complete), and the protein binding ability is approximately 96.3%. The metabolism of phentermine drug occurs in the liver, while the elimination half-life of the drug is about 25 hours. The excretion of the drug occurs through urine. The chemical formula of phentermine is C10H15N, and its molar mass is about 149.23 g/mol.
Furthermore, this drug is contraindicated in people who have a history of drug abuse, people who are allergic to sympathomimetic amine drugs, people who have cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma. When considering the interactions of phentermine with other drugs, it may decrease the effect of drugs such as clonidine, methyldopa, and guanethidine. However, drugs that are useful in treating hypothyroidism can increase the effect of phentermine.
What is Phendimetrazine Tartrate?
Phendimetrazine tartrate, commonly known as phendimetrazine, is a stimulant drug. It belongs to the drug class of morphine chemicals. We can name it an appetite suppressant. The trade name for this drug is “Bontril”. The major route of administration for this drug is oral administration. Other names for phendimetrazine include Adipost, Anorex-SR, Appecon, Melfiat, Obezine, Phendiet, etc.
When considering the bioavailability of this drug, the peak plasma levels can be observed within 1 to 3 hours after administration. The metabolism of this drug is usually hepatic. It has an elimination half-life of about 19 to 24 hours. The excretion occurs through urinary elimination. The chemical formula for phendimetrazine is C12H17NO, and it has a molar mass of 191.27 g/mol.
What is the Difference Between Phentermine and Phendimetrazine Tartrate?
The drugs phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate have different applications due to their different mode of actions inside our body. The key difference between phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate is that phentermine is useful in treating obesity, whereas phendimetrazine tartrate is useful as a stimulant drug. Moreover, Phentermine belongs to the appetite suppressant drug class while Phendimetrazine tartrate belongs to the morphine chemicals drug class.
The below infographic presents the differences between phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate in tabular form.
Summary – Phentermine vs Phendimetrazine Tartrate
Phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate have different applications due to their different mode of actions inside our body. The key difference between phentermine and phendimetrazine tartrate is that phentermine is useful in treating obesity, whereas phendimetrazine tartrate is useful as a stimulant drug.
Reference:
1. “Phendimetrazine: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects.” Drugs.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fentermina” By Arrowsmaster – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Phendimetrazine” By Harbin – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia