These days everyone wants to be slim as they have a desire to look good and by being slim, they cut the risk of several diseases caused due to bulky figure. But sometimes slimming drugs proves to be harmful if it is misused. Several reports are coming related to the drug abuse. One such case is related to the prescription of phentermine in Hong Kong.
The doctors in Hong Kong are loosely prescribing — a slimming drug to females, who are eager to lose weight, with a warning that — if misused it could raise the chances of stroke.
The drug phentermine suppresses the appetite and acts on the central nervous system (CNS), it has a chemical structure alike to that a stimulant amphetamine and its side effects are high blood pressure, palpitations and insomnia.
The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved phentermine — only for those people who are overweight or obese, or with a Body Mass Index of 30 and above. The drug must be accompanied by regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet. Pharmacists in Hong Kong claim — that some of the medical practitioners are just prescribing phentermine, even to those females who really do not need to lose weight.
To conquer the side-effects, the doctors prescribe some other medicines to reduce blood pressure and heart rate and thus helping the patients to sleep properly.
Side-effects:
The drug Phentermine affects blood pressure and heart rate. If a patient has cardiovascular problem, the drug will worsen the condition. It can also worsen the arrhythmia of a patient, and if blood pressure of patient increases, he can suffer from a stroke. This practice came to knowledge in 2004 when few patients rushed to the government hospitals complaining a number of side-effects. Doctors prescribe to their patients — more phentermine as it is cheap and gives fast results.
