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Diethylpropion

Generic name: diethylpropion [ dye-eth-ill-PROE-pee-on ]
Brand names: Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan
Dosage forms: oral tablet (25 mg), oral tablet, extended release (75 mg)
Drug classes: Anorexiants, CNS stimulants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 9, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is diethylpropion?

Diethylpropion is a stimulant similar to an amphetamine. Diethylpropion is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.

Diethylpropion is used as together with diet and exercise to treat obesity in people who have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kilograms per square meter.

Diethylpropion is usually given after diet and exercise have been tried without success.

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

Diethylpropion side effects

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

Diethylpropion may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of diethylpropion may include:

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.

Diethylpropion side effects (more detail)

Warnings

You should not take diethylpropion if you are in an agitated state, or if you have pulmonary hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe high blood pressure, or a history of drug abuse.

Do not use diethylpropion if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not take diethylpropion together with any other diet pills unless your doctor tells you to.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use diethylpropion if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You should not use diethylpropion if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

Do not take diethylpropion with any other diet pills unless your doctor tells you to. Taking diethylpropion in combination with other diet pills or appetite suppressants can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension.

To make sure diethylpropion is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. If you use diethylpropion while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Diethylpropion can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Diethylpropion is not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.

How should I take diethylpropion?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use diethylpropion in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Diethylpropion may be habit-forming. Never share diethylpropion with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

The immediate-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken three times a day before meals.

The extended-release diethylpropion tablet is usually taken once a day midmorning.

Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 4 pounds after taking the medicine for 4 weeks along with a low calorie diet.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using diethylpropion. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of your medicine. Diethylpropion is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Diethylpropion dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Obesity:

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.

CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Indicated for monotherapy use only.
-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.

Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) on a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher and who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity:

Over 16 years of age:
IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: 25 mg orally 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals, and in mid-evening if desired to overcome night hunger.

CONTROLLED-RELEASE: 75 mg orally once a day in mid-morning, swallowed whole.

Comments:
-Indicated for monotherapy use only.
-Treatment should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (e.g., weight loss of at least 4 pounds or as determined by the physician and patient).
-Discontinue treatment if tolerance develops; do not exceed the recommended dose in an attempt to increase the effect.

Use: Management of exogenous obesity as a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) on a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher and who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone.

Detailed Diethylpropion dosage information

Mounjaro, Zepbound, Wegovy, semaglutide, phentermine, Saxenda, Alli

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, panic, aggression, or seizure.

What should I avoid while taking diethylpropion?

diethylpropion may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

What other drugs will affect diethylpropion?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diethylpropion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Diethylpropion drug interactions (more detail)

Does diethylpropion interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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