Purpose This document summarizes PubMed-indexed clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of longer-term phentermine monotherapy, with emphasis on cardiovascular risk, blood pressure, heart rate, valvular disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, addiction potential, metabolic benefits, and weight loss outcomes. Regulatory Context Phentermine is FDA-approved for short-term use (typically defined as up to 12 weeks). Prescribing beyond
Many patients considering phentermine for weight loss have questions about safety, side effects, and how long it can be used. Below is a clear, evidence-based overview written for patients, based on published medical research and clinical practice at BeLite Medical Center. What Is Phentermine? Phentermine is a prescription medication that reduces appetite by acting on
In May 2025, the New England Journal of Medicine published the first head-to-head clinical trial comparing two of the most effective anti-obesity medications on the market: tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy). This was the phase 3b open label extension of the SURMOUNT-5 clinical trial involving 751 non-diabetic obese patients. The main finding was that tirzepatide led to significantly more weight loss than semaglutide over 72
In the U.S. alone, the percentage of women who are either overweight or have severe obesity is 27.5% and 11.5%, respectively, according to 2017–2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) With the growing number of overweight and obese women in the country, women are now beginning to realize the importance of
