Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMain DifferencesWhat Conditions Do They Treat?Dosing ComparisonSide EffectsPrecautions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Main Differences
What Conditions Do They Treat?
Dosing Comparison
Side Effects
Precautions
Phentermineis an FDA-approved generic prescription drug used forweight losswhen combined withdiet and exercise.It may sometimes be prescribed off-label for ADHD.
Adderalland phentermine are often compared since they are used for overlapping conditions but are not interchangeable. Both have notable differences concerning dosing guidelines, age requirements, and side effects, that potential users should know and understand.
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These two drugs differ in their FDA-approved uses, off-label uses, formulations, patient populations, risk factors, side effects, and interactions.
Adderall is available in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR) formulations:
Healthcare providers may prescribe Adderall off-label for some of the following uses:
Alternatively, users can have a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher in addition to other risk factors, such ashypertension (high blood pressure),high cholesterol, and/ortype 2 diabetes.It comes as tablets and extended-release (XR) capsules.When used for weight loss, it is safe for people ages 17 and older.
How They Work
It is prescribed as part of a treatment plan that includes other measures, such as therapy, educational intervention, andlifestyle changes.
Because phentermine is FDA-approved to be used for no longer than 12 weeks, using it for longer or intermittently (on and off) would be considered an off-label use.
About BMIBMI is a dated, biased measure that doesn’t account for several factors, such as body composition, ethnicity, race, gender, and age.Despite being aflawed measure, BMI is widely used today in the medical community because it is an inexpensive and quick method for analyzing potential health status and outcomes.
About BMI
BMI is a dated, biased measure that doesn’t account for several factors, such as body composition, ethnicity, race, gender, and age.Despite being aflawed measure, BMI is widely used today in the medical community because it is an inexpensive and quick method for analyzing potential health status and outcomes.
BMI is a dated, biased measure that doesn’t account for several factors, such as body composition, ethnicity, race, gender, and age.
Despite being aflawed measure, BMI is widely used today in the medical community because it is an inexpensive and quick method for analyzing potential health status and outcomes.
Dosage forms and doses of these medications are as follows.
Phentermine
Orally administered phentermine is commonly given in the following ways:
Healthcare providers are advised to prescribe the lowest effective phentermine dose.
Adderall
Orally administered Adderall is commonly given in the following ways:
Standard dosing schedules for Adderall include:
The dosages of Adderall XR are as follows:
Healthcare providers are advised to prescribe the lowest effective dose of these drugs.
Side Effects and Safety
Phentermine and Adderall have potential adverse effects.
Therefore, closely monitor yourself or a loved one for any side effects, particularly symptoms that do not improve or continue to worsen.
Both drugs are controlled substances. Adderall carries aboxed warningsince, as a Schedule II drug, it has a high potential for abuse and severe dependence.
Phentermine is also a controlled substance but is classified as aSchedule IV drug, with some potential for abuse and dependence.
It’s essential to talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks before taking Adderall or Phentermine.
Common side effects associated with the use of phentermine include:
Serious side effects associated with the use of phentermine include:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects.
Common side effects associated with the use of Adderall include:
Serious side effects associated with the use of Adderall include:
It is possible that Adderall can affect weight gain or growth in children, so it’s important that your healthcare provider closely monitor your child’s growth.
Phentermine and Adderall aren’t safe for everyone, and each drug has a long list of contraindications (reasons not to take medication due to safety concerns), warnings, and potential drug interactions to consider.
Before taking one of these medications, be sure to consult your healthcare provider and tell them about:
This information will help your healthcare provider determine if one of these medications is safe and appropriate.
Phentermine and Adderall should be avoided in people with certain conditions or medical histories, including:
Drug Interactions
There are several potential drug interactions when taking either Adderall or phentermine. Be sure to discuss these medications with your healthcare provider before starting use.
Adderall potential drug interactions include:
Phentermine potential drug interactions include:
Summary
Phentermine and Adderall are two commonly prescribed medications. Phentermine is FDA-approved as a weight loss drug for people who have obesity, while Adderall is FDA-approved to treat and manage ADHD and narcolepsy.
Uses can overlap. Phentermine is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat and manage ADHD, while Adderall, under certain circumstances, is sometimes prescribed for weight loss.
These drugs vary regarding dosing, age requirements for particular uses, and potential side effects. Both medications are controlled substances and come with a risk of abuse and dependency.
Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment for you based on many factors, including your medical history.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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DailyMed.Label: phentermine hydrochloride capsule.
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DailyMed.Label: Lomaira- phentermine hydrochloride tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Adipex-P- phentermine hydrochloride tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR- dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.
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