phentermine

[ fen-ter-meen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline powder, phenyl-tertiary-butylamine hydrochloride, soluble in water and alcohol, that stimulates the central nervous system and elevates the systolic blood pressure: used chiefly in the treatment of obesity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phentermine¹

phen(yl)-ter(tiary-butyla)mine ( hydrochloride )

Example Sentences

The ban was implemented in part because of concerns over the safety of weight-loss drugs at the time, such as the combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, or fen-phen, which was associated with life-threatening hypertension and heart valve issues.

From Scientific American

For example, the popular diet drug of the 1980s and 90s was fen-phen, which contained appetite suppressants fenfluramine and phentermine.

From Salon

Several approved medications for weight loss, such as phentermine or liraglutide, are now recommended for adults with obesity.

From Seattle Times

The older group of drugs, which include appetite-suppressants phentermine/topiramate, can cost $25 to $30 a month for generic versions of the pills.

From Washington Post

In the late 1990s, “fen-phen” — a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine — was withdrawn after fenfluramine was linked to heart valve problems.

From Washington Post