Tenuate instructions

Chemical Name: DIETHYLPROPION (dye-eth-il-PROE-pee-on)

TENUATE COMMON USES:
This medicine is an appetite suppressant used along with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity.

BEFORE USING TENUATE:
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Tenuate. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Do not use this medicine if you are also taking guanadrel, guanethidine, furazolidone, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of Tenuate is not recommended if you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, or brain or spinal cord disorders. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

TENUATE DIRECTIONS:
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Tenuate about 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals. Take your last dose of the day at least 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. If you miss a dose of Tenuate, take it as soon as possible. If it is after 4 pm, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

TENUATE CAUTIONS:
Do not exceed the recommended dose or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking Tenuate for longer than prescribed may cause serious side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Tenuate. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. For women: Tenuate is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

POSSIBLE TENUATE SIDE EFFECTS:
Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include restlessness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, or dry mouth. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

IF YOU TAKE TOO MUCH:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.