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How to Use
.Ionamin comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. It usually is taken as a single daily dose in the morning or three times a day 30 minutes before meals. Follow the directions on your prescript
ion label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take .Ionamin exactly as directed.
Most people take the drug for 3-6 weeks; the length of tre
atment depends on how you respond to the medication. .Ionamin can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
To pre
vent side effects, .Ionamin should be taken with meals. If you are taking an extended-release (long-acting) product, do not chew or crush the tablet.
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What side effects may occur?
Although side effects from .Ionamin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dry mouth
- unpleasant taste
- diarrhe
a
- constipation
- vomiting
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- increased blood pressure
- heart palpitations
- restless
ness
- dizziness
- tremor
- insomnia
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- dizziness
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- difficulty doing exercise that you have
been able to do
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time or in large doses and you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on it, check with your doctor.
Some signs of depend
ence on appetite suppressants are:
- a strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
- a need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
- withdrawal side eff
ects (for example, mental depression, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps or pain, trembling, unusual tiredness or weakness) when you stop taking the medicine.
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What special precautions should I follow?
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it may do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For .Ionamin, the following should be cons
idered:
- Allergies¡XTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaprot
renol, methamphetamine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, terbutaline, or other appetite suppressants. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
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Why is this medication prescribed?
Ionamin is used as an appetite suppressant. Ionamin is used in conjunction with an overall diet plan to reduce weight. Drugs of this class are thought to suppress appetite via a central mechanism (app
etite centers in the brain) although this has mechanism has not been clearly proven. IONAMIN is the only medicine of this class that is set in resin. The resin allows the compound to be released slowl
y into the blood stream. Some patients prefer it because they believe it to be associated with fewer side effects.
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Other Medicines
Other medicines¡XAlthough certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your do
or may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking appetite suppressants, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking a
ny of the following:
- Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
- Amphetamines or
- Caffeine (e.g., NoDoz) or
- Chlophedianol (e.g., Ulone) or
- Cocaine or
- Medicine for ast
hma or other breathing problems or
- Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays)
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