Duromine
The weight loss drug Duromine® is an appetite suppressant. The active ingredient within Duromine® is the generic drug phentermine. Phentermine is combined with a resin to create slow release which prolongs the effects of Duromine®.
Duromine® is manufactured by 3M and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand.
What does Duromine® look like?
Duromine capsules are available in Australia in three strengths, 15mg, 30mg or 40mg, in packs of 30 capsules.
Duromine 15mg capsules:
- Duromine 30mg capsules: Grey and reddish brown and marked DUROMINE 30
Duromine 30mg capsules:
- grey and reddish brown and marked DUROMINE 30
- AUST R 76680
Duromine 40mg capsules:
- grey and orange and marked DUROMINE 40
- AUST R 10942
What is Duromine prescribed for?
Duromine is an appetite suppressant and has successfully been helping people lose weight since it was released onto the market. It is designed to be used in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Who should Duromine be prescribed for?
DUROMINE is indicated as a short-term adjunct in a medically monitored comprehensive regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, diet (caloric restriction) and behaviour modification in obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m2 or greater who have not achieved an adequate clinical response to an appropriate weight-reducing regimen alone.
How does Duromine work?
As stated above Duromine contains phentermine. Phentermine primarily works on the transmitters that are located in the brain. It stimulates the central nervous system and helps to stimulate certain part of the brain to release specific chemicals. These chemicals such as dopamine and adrenalin are able to work to suppress the hunger mechanism in the body. Once released it often causes the body to not have hunger cravigns, as the brain is not receiving any hunger messages. In Duromine Phentermine is combined with a resin which slowly releases the phentermine so the effect of Duromine lasts all day.
Is Duromine a prescription or over the counter drug?
Duromine is a prescription medication and can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor.
Duromine is a brand name given to a version of the generic medication phentermine which has been available throughout Europe and is still prescribed in Australia and New Zealand.
Duromine side effects
Side effects of Duromine can include:
| Restlessness | Excess energy | Insomnia |
| Euphoria | Dysphoria | Difficulty in breathing |
| Light headedness | Weakness | Ankle and extremity Swelling |
| Increase in blood pressure | Fatigue | Headache |
| Dryness of the mouth | Unpleasant taste | Diarrhea, Constipation |
| Impotence | Changes in sex drive |
If used incorrectly or for excessive lengths of time Duromine can be habit forming. If over used or abused Duromine patients can form a habit of perceived dependency. Duromine should not be taken for a longer period than prescribed by your doctor. Duromine should not be taken other than by the person it was prescribed for.
Duromine dosages
If you are taking Duromine it should be used as a short term weight loss method, and should be done for up to 12 weeks. It should also be combined with healthy dieting and exercise. The reason why they say 12 weeks is because of drug tolerance. The body becomes adjusted to the product and it will lose the appetite suppressing effects.
Because of the possibility that duromine can lead to insomnia it is often recommended that it is taken before or 2 hours after the person has had their breakfast..
What precautions should be taken before using Duromine?
DUROMINE capsules are indicated only as short-term monotherapy for the management of exogenous obesity. The safety and efficacy of combination therapy with phentermine and any other drug products for weight loss have not been established. Therefore, coadministration of drug products for weight loss is not recommended.
Duromine with fenfluramine (Phen-Fen)
The two substances, phentermine (Duromine) and fenfluramine are FDA approved medications. However, numerous instances of heart valve abnormalities have been recorded amongst patients who took the two medications in conjunction with one another. In 1997 the FDA issued a public health warning advising against the use of the Phen-Fen combination.
Over dosage
Overdoses of Duromine can have serious consequences, if quantities are high enough this can include death. If an overdose is suspected seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of overdosage can include: excess energy, tremor, hyperreflexia, increased breathing rate, confusion, assaultiveness, hallucinations, panic, excess fatigue, depression, arrhythmia, hypertension or hypotension, circulatory collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps.
Fatal poisoning usually terminates in convulsions and coma.
Duromine Ingredients
Each DUROMINE capsule contains, as inactive ingredients, lactose, liquid paraffin, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide and carbon black (CI 77266). DUROMINE 15 also contains brilliant blue FCF (CI 42090), iron oxide yellow (CI 77492). DUROMINE 30 also contains iron oxide red (CI 77491). DUROMINE capsules are gluten-free and preservative-free.
The resin that is mixed with the generic ingredient phentermine to form Duromine creates a slow release effect which is designed to extend the effects of the pill throughout the day.
Who makes Duromine?
DUROMINE is manufactured and supplied in Australia by:
3M Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
9-15 Chilvers Road
Thornleigh NSW 2120
Australia
DUROMINE is distributed in New Zealand by:
3M New Zealand Limited
250 Archers Road
Glenfield
Auckland
Duromine within Europe
Duromine has had its licence withdrawn and reinstated several times by the European Commission. Duromine is no has marketing authorization within Europe following the European Commission's decision to withdraw it in 2002.