BRAND INFORMATION
Brand name: Metermine [‘miːtəmaɪn]
Active ingredient: Phentermine
Schedule: S4
Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Metermine.
This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.
Contents
Why am I taking Metermine?
Metermine contains the active ingredient phentermine. Phentermine is combined with a resin which slowly releases the phentermine, so the effect of Metermine lasts all day.
Metermine is used to reduce body weight in obese or overweight patients.
Metermine is an appetite suppressant that works by directly affecting the area of the brain that controls your appetite, making you feel less hungry.
Metermine should be used as a part of an overall weight management plan, which includes a medically controlled diet and exercise program.
Your doctor will assess whether Metermine is suitable for you. Calculation of the body mass index helps to do that.
BMI 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 Metermine?
Warnings
Do not use Metermine if:
✕ You are allergic to phentermine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
✕ You are taking any similar medicines to reduce weight.
✕ You have any of the following medical conditions:
- very high blood pressure
- high blood pressure in the lungs
- problems with your heart valves
- disease related to blood vessels in the brain
- severe heart disease, including changes in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat
- narrowing of the blood vessels due to thickening or hardening of the blood vessel wall
- overactive thyroid gland
- psychiatric illness including anorexia nervosa (loss of appetite) and depression
- glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
✕ It is past the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
✕ You are a child under the age of 12 years. Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 12 years have not been established.
✕ You are elderly.
✕ You are currently taking, or have taken within the last 14 days, antidepressant medicines called mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
✕ You have previously misused drugs or alcohol.
Check with your doctor if you have any other medical conditions including:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease such as angina (chest pain)
- diabetes
- epilepsy
✕ Take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Metermine and affect how it works.
These include:
✓ other medicines for weight reduction
✓ medicines for depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder or other mental illness
✓ ergot-like medicines for migraine
✓ some cough and cold remedies
✓ thyroid hormones
✓ medicines for lowering high blood pressure.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Metermine.
How do I take Metermine?
How much to take
- The usual dose is one capsule a day, however, your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you.
- Swallow the capsules whole with plenty of water. Do not chew or open the capsules.
- Carefully follow the instructions provided and use Metermine until your doctor tells you to stop. Increasing the dose may not necessarily make you lose more weight or make you lose weight faster. However, you will more likely experience side effects. Your doctor will tell you how long you are to take Metermine for.
- Increasing the dosage may not cause greater or quicker weight loss. However, adverse effects are more likely to occur.
When to take Metermine
- Take Metermine first thing in the morning, at breakfast time, so that it does not keep you awake at night.
- Taking Metermine at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it. It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
- Do not change the dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.
If you forget to use Metermine
Metermine should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at breakfast, take it no later than lunchtime.
If you take Metermine any later than lunchtime, you may have trouble sleeping at night.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.
If you use too much Metermine
If you think that you have taken too much Metermine, you may need urgent medical attention.
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 Metermine?
Things you should do | ✓ Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking Metermine. ✓ If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking Metermine. ✓ Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take any cough or cold medication. |
Things you should not do | ✕ Do not take Metermine to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to. ✕ Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. ✕ Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. |
Driving or using machines | ✕ Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Metermine affects you. |
Drinking alcohol | ✕ Do not drink alcohol whilst taking Metermine. ✕ Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. |
Pregnancy | ✓ If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, call your doctor straight away |
Looking after your medicine | Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly. ✓ Keep your capsules in the blister foil in the carton until it is time to take them. ✓ Store Metermine below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; for example, do not store it: ✓ Keep it where young children cannot reach it. |
Call your doctor straight away if you experience sudden or rapid weight loss, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, and swelling of the lower limbs and if you cannot exercise as much as you usually can.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include changes in your heartbeat, high blood pressure, restlessness, trouble sleeping, nervousness, tremor, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, stomach cramps, dry or unpleasant taste in the mouth, trouble urinating, skin rashes, sexual function problems, feelings of extreme happiness followed by depression and tiredness.
Serious side effects include heart attack, stroke, chest pain, myocardial infarction and difficulty breathing.
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 heart beats ✕ 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 ✕ if 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 straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems in Australia or Medsafe at www.medsafe.govt.nz/safety/report-a-problem.asp in New Zealand.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
Product details
What Metermine 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;In addition: |
| Metermine 15 mg also contains: | brilliant blue FCF (CI 42090) iron oxide yellow (CI 77492) |
| Metermine 30 mg also contains: | iron oxide red (CI 77491) |
| Metermine 40 mg* also contains: | erythrosine (CI 45430) sunset yellow FCF (CI 5985) |
| Potential allergens | Contain sugars as lactose monohydrate |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Metermine capsules are gluten-free.
What Metermine looks like
Metermine capsules are available in three strengths in packs of 30 capsules:
Who distributes Metermine
| Location | Australia | New Zealand |
| Company | iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited | iNova Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand) Pty Limited |
| Address | Level 10, 12 Help Street Chatswood NSW 2067 | Auckland |
| Phone | Tel: 1800 630 056 | Tel: 0508 375 394 |
This leaflet was prepared in June 2022.
References
Disclaimer
NeverGiveUpTeam medicines information is not intended for use in an emergency. If you are suffering an acute illness, overdose, or emergency condition, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
I have high blood pressure and found out it may be a contradiction. I really hope it won’t stand in my way.
I’ve dropped 10 kg only in two weeks on this drug. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy, but I doubt it’s normal.
Thanks for the info! Very straightforward and to the point.
I didn’t know supplements could interact with diet pills like this.
Wie kann ich das bestellen