Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Tenuate

Generic Name: diethylpropion (Pronunciation: dye eth ill PROE pee on)

What is diethylpropion (Tenuate)?

Diethylpropion is an appetite suppressant similar to an amphetamine. Diethylpropion stimulates your central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.

Diethylpropion is used as together with diet and exercise to treat of obesity.

Diethylpropion may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tenuate 25 mg

round, white, imprinted with TENUATE 25

What are the possible side effects of diethylpropion (Tenuate)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using diethylpropion and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
chest pain, feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion);
feeling like you might pass out;
swelling in your ankles or feet;
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
seizure (convulsions);
muscle movements you cannot control; or
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
headache, blurred vision;
feeling nervous, anxious, or jittery;
sleep problems (insomnia);
dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
depressed mood;
dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth;
decreased sex drive; or
mild itching or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about diethylpropion (Tenuate)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to diethylpropion or if you have pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of drug or alcohol addiction, if you are agitated, or if you are taking any other diet pills.

Do not use diethylpropion if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before you take diethylpropion, tell your doctor if you have a heart murmur, heart valve disorder, heart rhythm disorder, epilepsy, or if you have taken other diet pills within the past 12 months.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Diethylpropion may also cause restless feelings that can hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Diethylpropion may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not stop using diethylpropion suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using diethylpropion.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diethylpropion (Tenuate)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.