Adipex vs Phentermine
Adipex and phentermine are both the same and different. These drugs or pills are the same because they are prescribed by the doctors to their patients who wanted to lose weight. They are different because the former is a brand for the generic drug compound phentermine.
Because it is a generic formulation, phentermine is still the most commonly prescribed diet drug in the weight loss market according to a certain American drug board. This is not surprising because phentermine (1959) is the pioneering diet pill approved by the FDA whose core action is centered on appetite suppression. Even if Adipex has now become almost as widely used as phentermine, this appetite suppressant (an anorectic pill) is still a newer diet pill compared to its counterpart.
These diet pills contain the same active compound called phentermine hydrochloride. This ingredient is an appetite suppressant because it alters the appetite center of the brain (hypothalamus) by causing certain chemical changes to the central nervous system. These pills have been widely prescribed by dieticians most especially for short term loss of weight. When coupled by a rigorous exercise regimen, the intake of these pills makes losing weight much faster and more effective.
Adipex and phentermine differ in terms of drug formulation. Generally, these diet pills come in a long range of strengths starting at 15 mg to 37.5 mg. The branded Adipex (marketed by Gate Pharmaceuticals) has the 37.5 mg formulation only, compared to generic phentermine that has more choices of pill strengths as it is being manufactured by many different drug companies. Cancelling out all other factors, the effectiveness in controlling one’s appetite is determined solely on the formulation strength of the pill being taken.
It has also been known that different pill forms like tablets and capsules have slightly different weight loss results as each form may be prepared differently using dissimilar drug formulas. Thus, the effectiveness of an Adipex capsule for example, may slightly differ from the ones shown in Adipex tablets.
All in all, Adipex and phentermine share the same array of adverse and side effects as both are made from the same active chemical ingredient. Some of the most pronounced effects are increased heart rate, heightened BP, and mouth dryness among others.
- Adipex is a brand name while phentermine is a generic name for Adipex.
- Adipex is a newer diet pill compared to phentermine.
- Adipex has a set dosage of its active ingredient phentermine HCl. It is primarily available in 37.5 mg formulation while phentermine has more choices of drug strengths.