A dieter is warning of the debilitating side effects he had after taking a popular weight loss drug and drinking alcohol at the same time.
Brady Henderson, 52, from Atlanta, Georgia, was desperate to lose weight and he managed to get a prescription for the appetite suppressant phentermine, sold under the brand name Adipex-P.
This is easier and cheaper to obtain compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound, which were hit by severe shortages last year.
The Adipex-P pills – which are taken by mouth once daily, typically in the morning – were previously one of the go-to weight loss medications approved by the FDA before the advent of GLP-1s.
In 2022, the latest year with data available, there were more than 3.7 million prescriptions for the drug in the US but more people could be turning to them as GLP-1s become harder to get hold of.
Mr Henderson said he had only been taking the weight loss pills for a few days when he experienced an extreme adverse reaction.
‘I was at an event one night, and I had had a few drinks,’ he told 11Alive.
‘Then I noticed that I started feeling dizzy and lightheaded and just really crazy and paranoid.’
Experts from the Cleveland Clinic strictly warn against drinking alcohol while taking phentermine.
Brady Henderson, 52, from Atlanta, Georgia, was desperate to lose weight and he managed to get a prescription for the appetite suppressant phentermine, sold under the brand name Adipex-P
The interaction of the two substances can lead to a range of potential health concerns including an increased heart rate, impaired liver function, excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
In rare cases, phentermine has also been known to cause paranoia and other psychotic symptoms due to its structural similarity to amphetamines such as meth.
Commenting on Mr Henderson’s case, Dr Colin Haile from University of Houston’s Drug Discovery Institute, told DailyMail.com: ‘Adipex-P, or phentermine, can significantly increase blood pressure and lead to dizziness and other symptoms described.
‘Further, phentermine should not be combined with alcohol because it can mask its depressant effects and people can end up drinking too much.’
Mr Henderson claims he was not warned about these dangers during a consultation at a local weight loss clinic.
However, he says he should have done his own research around the drugs before taking them.
‘I take some of the blame because I should have known better,’ he said.
To make matters worse, Mr Henderson was already suffering from high blood pressure but he claims this was also ignored during his consultation and he was able to get the medication.
Adipex-P – which are taken by mouth once daily, typically in the morning – were previously one of the go-to weight loss medications approved by the FDA before the advent of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Wegovy and Ozempic
Adipex-P is generally not recommended to patients with high blood pressure as it stimulates the central nervous system and can worsen cardiovascular conditions.
Experts are now warning patients to be vigilant as the demand for weight loss medications skyrocket.
Medical bariatrics specialist Dr Jada Moore-Ruffin, who did not treat Mr Henderson, says she has seen people sourcing weight loss drugs online, from friends and ‘from people who are not in the medical field’.
She warns people: ‘Don’t just trust your body to anybody. Don’t give yourself over to someone that can’t really support you for the long game.’
Meanwhile, Dr Haile notes that Adipex-P is a cheaper alternative to GLP-1 agonists.
But he also highlights that they work differently and have different potential side effects and benefits.
The medic told this website: ‘The GLP-1 agonists are all the rage in the US right now for weight loss and would seem to be a better alternative because they do not increase blood pressure however they are very expensive and probably not an option for the average person unfortunately.’
Following his unnerving experience with Adipex-P, Mr Henderson has now changed his approach to losing weight.
‘I’m doing it the natural way this time – you know, going to the gym, watching what I eat,’ he said.
