Anorexiants

a. What are the drugs, route, dosage, indication under each category?
b. What are the side effects, adverse effects, or contraindications of the drugs?
c. What will be your patient health teaching in medication administration?

Diethylpropion
An anorectics agent, anorexiants
Short term use for obesity, an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system. It is
used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity in people who have BMI of at least 30
kg per square meter.
Dosage and route
◆ Immediate release:
● Adult: PO 25 mg tid 1 h before meals
○ Max: 75 mg/d
◆ Sustained release (These medications prolong the medication’s release from a tablet or
capsule so that you’ll get the medication’s benefits over a longer period of time. This
means that you may need to take fewer doses throughout the day.)
● Adult: PO 75 mg/d mid morning
○ Max: 75 mg
Side effects
◆ Serious side effects
● chest pain, feeling short of breath (especially with exertion);
● swelling in your ankles or feet;
● anxiety, feeling nervous or jittery;
● muscle twitches;
● Moodiness (feelings of extreme happiness or sadness);
● Palpitation (fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest); or
● a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
◆ Common side effects
● nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, constipation;
● headache, blurred vision;
● sleep problems (insomnia);
● dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
● depression;
● dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth;
● decreased sex drive; or
● redness, bruising, or rash.
Adverse effect
◆ Body as a Whole
● Hypersensitivity (urticaria, rash, erythema)
● muscle pain
● dyspnea
● hair loss
● blurred vision
● severe dermatoses (chronic intoxication)
● Hyperhidrosis (increased sweating)
◆ Central nervous system
● Mild euphoria
● Restlessness
● nervousness
● dizziness
● headache
● irritability
● hyperactivity
● insomnia
● drowsiness
● mood changes
● lethargy
● increase in convulsive episodes in patients with epilepsy
◆ Cardiovascular
● Palpitation
● tachycardia
● precordial pain
● hypertension
◆ Gastrointestinal
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● diarrhea
● constipation
● dry mouth
● unpleasant taste

◆ Urogenital
● Impotence
● changes in libido
● gynecomastia
● menstrual irregularities
● polyuria, dysuria
 ➔ Contraindications
◆ hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines
● severe hypertension
● advanced arteriosclerosis
● hyperthyroidism; glaucoma
● agitated states
◆ Safe use during pregnancy (category B) or in children <12 y is not established.

Patient health teaching

◆ General
● Advise clients to not chew, crush, or cut extended-release tablets, it should be
swallowed whole.
● Advise patients not to drive a car or operate machinery until the patient knows
how this drug affects him/her.
● Teach clients the difference between immediate-release tablets and
sustained-release tablets, consult a physician which dosage is right.
● Advise the client not to drink alcohol because it can add to the drowsiness caused
by this drug.
◆ Diet
● Encourage patients to eat a low-calorie, well-balanced diet together with
exercise.
◆ Side effects
● Teach client the side effects that can occur when taking this drug and advise
client to report to physician other medical problems
◆ Storage of the drugs
● Teach the client to keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess
heat and moisture.

References:

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022). Diethylpropion (oral route) side effects.
Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/diethylpropion-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075120?p=1

Diethylpropion Advanced Patient Information. (n.d.). Drugs.com. Retrieved from

https://www.drugs.com/cons/diethylpropion.html#:~:text=Diethylpropion%20may%20cause%20some%2
0people,are%20dizzy%20or%20not%20alert.