We Debunked the Most Common Myth About Phentermine
The International Journal of Obesity recently published the study by Dr. Hendricks et al., demonstrated there are no conclusive evidence long-term use of phentermine results in addiction. So why is this unfounded, unscientific belief so pervasive?
Dr. Hendricks and team have coupled obesity treatment with proven medicine and sound advice on lifestyle changes. Our work over the last decades have shown steady and consistent superior performance in helping our patients achieve results. So naturally, Dr. Hendricks and other clinicians performed an exhaustive study to investigate if phentermine treatment induces phentermine abuse, psychological dependence (addiction) or phentermine drug craving in overweight, obese and weight loss maintenance patients. To investigate whether amphetamine-like withdrawal occurs after abrupt cessation of long-term phentermine treatment.
The study involved 269 obese, overweight or formerly obese subjects (age: 20–88 years, BMI: 21–74 kg m−2). The study found all long term patients treated with phentermine under the guidance of a physician we negative for phentermine abuse or psychological dependence. The study also found little to no psychological dependence for short term patients.
In summary, phentermine abuse or psychological dependence (addiction) does not occur in patients treated with phentermine for obesity. Phentermine treatment does not induce phentermine drug craving, a hallmark sign of addiction. Amphetamine-like withdrawal does not occur upon abrupt treatment cessation even at doses much higher than commonly recommended and after treatment durations of up to 21 years.
This study was lead by Dr. Hendricks at Hendricks for Health, The Center for Weight Management, Department of Psychiatry at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes at University of Colorado, Anschultz Medical Campus, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center of the Louisiana State University System.
