BRAND INFORMATION
Generic version: Metermine
Active ingredient: Phentermine [ˈfɛntəmɪ:n]
Schedule: S4
Manufacturer: iNova Pharmaceuticals
This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia and New Zealand.
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
On the next page, you’ll find the whole CMI. For any concerns regarding this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Leaflet with consumer medicine information
Before taking Duromine, please be sure to read this leaflet thoroughly.
Contents
Why am I using Duromine? What is it used for?
Body Mass Index Calculator
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared.
Enter your measurements and click ‘calculate’ for your body mass index.
If your BMI is above or below the normal range but you consider yourself to be of normal and healthy weight for your height, chat with your doctor about any potential health concerns.
This calculator has been reviewed by NeverGiveUpTeam experts and is based on reputable sources of medical research. It is not a diagnostic tool and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional medical or other professional health advice.
What should I know before I take Duromine?
Precautions before taking Duromine
- Are you allergic to any medicine containing phentermine or any other similar medicines used to reduce weight?
- Are you a child under the age of 12 years?
- Do you have very high blood pressure or high blood pressure in the lung?
- Do you have problems with the valves in your heart?
- Are you suffering from a disease related to blood vessels in the brain?
- Do you have severe heart disease, including changes in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat?
- Are you experiencing a narrowing of the blood vessels due to the thickening or hardening of the blood vessel wall?
- Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
- Do you have psychiatric illnesses, including anorexia nervosa (loss of appetite) and depression?
- Do you have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)?
Warnings
- you are taking or have taken MAOI antidepressants during the last 2 weeks;
- you have past drug or alcohol abuse.
Do not take this medication if the container is damaged or exhibits evidence of manipulation.
Return expired or damaged medications to your pharmacist.
Consult your doctor if you take other drugs or have:
- angina (chest pain);
- hypertension;
- diabetes;
- epilepsy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, see your doctor. If you’re planning to breastfeed or are already doing so, make an appointment with your attending physician.
What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about taking any medications, including vitamins and supplements. Some drugs may impact how Duromine works.
We talk about:
- other weight-loss medications;
- drugs against depression, OCD, and other mental disorders;
- migraine ergot-like drugs;
- cough and cold medications;
- thyroid hormones;
- blood pressure meds.
How do I take Duromine?
How much to take
- One pill daily is typical. Your doctor will prescribe the proper dosage.
- Swallow capsules without chewing and drink them with water. Don't open capsules.
- Use Duromine as your doctor recommends and until he instructs you to stop.
- Increasing the dosage may not cause greater or quicker weight loss. However, adverse effects are more likely to occur.
When to take Duromine
- Take Duromine during breakfast to avoid staying up at night.
- Duromine works best when taken at the same time daily. It helps you remember to take it. You can take it before or after food.
If you forget to use Duromine
- Daily Duromine usage should be consistent. If you skip a dose by breakfast, take it by noon.
- Taking Duromine after lunch may cause insomnia. If your next dosage is nearly due, omit the dose you missed. Do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.
If you use too much Duromine
You may need urgent medical attention if you think you have taken too much Duromine.
You should immediately:
Phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 [0800 POISON] in New Zealand), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
What should I know while taking Duromine?
Things you should do
- Tell doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you take Duromine.
- Tell the surgeon or anesthesiologist you're taking Duromine before any operative measure.
- Before using cough or cold medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- got pregnant while taking Duromine;
- experience too fast weight loss, trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, and swelling of the lower limbs;
- cannot exercise as much as you usually can.
Things you should not do
- Take Duromine only as prescribed by the doctor.
- Even if someone has the same ailment, don't share your medication.
Driving or using machines
- Don't drive or use machinery or tools until you know how Duromine affects you.
Drinking alcohol
- Do not drink alcohol whilst taking Duromine.
- Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
- Follow the directions on the drug package.
- Keep capsules in the carton until it's time to take them.
- Keep Duromine below 30°C in a cold, dry area away from moisture, heat, and sunshine.
- Do not keep it in the bathroom, near a sink, vehicle, or windowsills.
- Keep it away from kids.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
- Take unused or expired medication to a pharmacy for disposal.
- Don't use expired medication.
Are there any side effects?
Every drug has adverse effects. Minor side effects are usually transient, but some do need medical care. If you have concerns regarding side effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
|---|---|
| ✕ feeling more awake than usual and trouble sleeping; ✕ your heart seems to beat faster and harder; ✕ your blood pressure may be raised slightly; ✕ irregular heartbeats; ✕ feeling restless; ✕ feelings of extreme happiness followed by depression and tiredness; ✕ nervousness; ✕ tremor (shaking); ✕ headache; ✕ dizziness; ✕ fainting; ✕ nausea; ✕ vomiting; ✕ diarrhoea or constipation; ✕ stomach cramps; ✕ dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth; ✕ you cannot exercise as much as you usually can; ✕ difficulty passing urine; ✕ skin rashes; ✕ impotence; ✕ changes in sexual drive; ✕ swelling of the lower limbs; ✕ swelling of the face; ✕ sudden or rapid weight loss. | ✓ Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
|---|---|
| ✕ heart attack; ✕ stroke; ✕ chest pain; ✕ myocardial infarction; ✕ difficulty breathing. | ✓ Call your doctor immediately, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious adverse effects. |
Reporting side effects
After seeking medical advice, you may report adverse effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia or Medsafe in New Zealand. You can help determine the medicine’s safety by reporting adverse effects. Before stopping any medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
To better understand the adverse effects of the medicine, we conducted a poll of our forum members. Here is what we’ve got.
Chart with real user feedback, based on 126 votes.
What Duromine contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Phentermine |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) | lactose monohydrate; liquid paraffin; magnesium stearate; gelatin capsules hard PI (1947); titanium dioxide; iron oxide black (CI 77499); sodium polystyrene sulfonate. |
| Duromine 15 mg also contains: | brilliant blue FCF (CI 42090); iron oxide yellow (CI 77492). |
| Duromine 30 mg also contains: | iron oxide red (CI 77491). |
| Duromine 40 mg also contains: | erythrosine (CI 45430); sunset yellow FCF (CI 5985. |
| Potential allergens | sugars as lactose monohydrate. |
What Duromine looks like
Duromine capsules are available in three strengths in packs of 30 capsules and two strengths in packs of 7 capsules.
Who distributes Duromine
| Location: | Australia | New Zealand |
| Company: | iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited | iNova Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand) Pty Limited |
| Address: | Level 10, 12 Help StreetChatswood NSW 2067 | 74 Westney Road, Airport Oaks, Auckland |
| Phone: | Tel: 1800 630 056 | Tel: 0508 375 394 |
References
- Australian Medicines Handbook. Phentermine. [Monograph online] AMH Pty Ltd 2007. [Cited December 1, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
- Duromine. MIMS Online. [Monograph online] MIMS Australia Pty Ltd 2007. [Cited December 1, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
- Lazo, J, Gilman A, Brunton L, Parker K. Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.
- New Zealand Medicines Formulary [Phentermine]
- Health Navigator, New Zealand. “What is Duromine?”, May 2022 [URL Link]
- News Medical Life Sciences. Duromine [URL Link]
- NPS Medicinewise. Duromine. Phentermine, April 2021 [URL Link]
- Health Direct. Duromine, Australia [URL Link]
- Health Direct. Australian Health Thesaurus, Australia. Last updated on: July 1, 2022 [URL Link]
- Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Last updated on: June 29, 2022 [URL Link]
- GuildLink. Powering the better use of medicines. Last updated on: June 30, 2022 [URL Link]
Disclaimer
Healthdirect is not for emergency usage. Call triple zero (000) if you have an acute sickness, overdose, or emergency.
When created, correct information was provided. This material shouldn’t be used to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see our T&Cs.
Very informative, thank you. Handy for me was the info about side effects. It is good that everything is assembled in one place.
Everything is simple and straightforward. But I was surprised that you can take pills before breakfast. Isn’t it strange? Is it possible to take medication on an empty stomach?
WoW! So many precautions before using it. Suggests the doubt… Probably I should be more serious and talk to my doctor…
I find it so annoying I should tell everyone I take Duromine, even a dentist. I get the importance, but still. It annoys me a lot. Who can relate?
Oops .. And I shared my medication once. Well, that person had the prescription earlier, and I just gave her my pills cause I didn’t need them. Not a big deal. I don’t see any reason why I wasn’t right.
I can’t exercise while I take Duromine. The article advises calling a doctor. My doc said it’s OK. Should I change a doctor then?))
Omg omg just saw that “serious side effects.” That little pill can really do that?! Shocked