Does anyone know anything about Phentermine?

2019-08-05T12:34:27-04:00

I am looking for information on the weight loss pill Phentermine 37.5. I have a SM who has been taking this and recently produced a positive UA for COC. I understand that COC can only be found in certain products but doing research it looks as if there are connections between the to. I If any information please let me know, this SM is to good and hardworking to let go?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 1:01 PM

2019-08-05T13:01:06-04:00

Does the SM have a prescription? Was the prescription valid during the time of UA?
Phentermine isn’t that big of a deal. Of course, it can be abused. So can Tylenol. But when taken as prescribed, it’s not an issue. On a side note, The SM should let the tester/CC know that he/she has been prescribed Phentermine, as it may produce false positives.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 5 at 2019 1:09 PM

2019-08-05T13:09:02-04:00

It could be trouble, if it is not prescription, then they will have to prove that it was weight loss and absolutely nothing else. Burden of proof is on the user, not the CoC. Unless the SM can convince them, then a chapter is looming.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 1:10 PM

2019-08-05T13:10:14-04:00

Contrary to popular belief, UA's don't produce a false positive. There are two tests when doing a UA, the first is a cheaper, broad metabolite test, that's the kind that can produce a positive result for a different drug because many drugs produce similar metabolites after use. When there is a positive in that test, the sample is then tested using a gas chromatography test, which is extremely accurate and will even detect the amount of the metabolite in the sample. The DOD thresholds for positive results are high enough that if someone has a positive UA, there was definitely that drug in their system. Once they receive the positive UA, their medical prescriptions are reviewed to ensure it wasn't something that was prescribed in the last 6 months.

You can't outsmart the test and it doesn't lead to false positives. The only way to contradict the results is if the sample was mishandled or some urine from another positive sample contaminated other samples in the box. But, gas chromatography is the gold standard for chemical testing and what comes out of the results is a dead on analysis of what went in.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Aug 5 at 2019 1:35 PM

2019-08-05T13:35:09-04:00

As a clinical psychologist w/ 40 years experience, this agent is a CNS accelerant tho not as potent as Coke or Meth. Over time a person develops a tolerance and cross-tolerance and will take more to achieve the desired end. Many agents like this are Schedule One and Two agents.
Rich

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 5 at 2019 6:08 PM

2019-08-05T18:08:12-04:00

Phentermine has the potential to be used for the treatment of cocaine abuse in humans. That being said - NO, it will not cause a false positive. DOD uses a broad spectrum tested and then if the SM ids positive they sample is tested a GC Test.
Is the SM being treated for cocaine abuse? If so he's fallen off the wagon. As his supervisor you should know if he is being treated simply because you're in his Chain of Command - No one is allowed to 'keep' that information from you, being his superior.
REF: Army Regulation 600–85

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Aug 6 at 2019 12:36 AM

2019-08-06T00:36:04-04:00

I work for a sheriff's office and was on Adipex (phentermine 37.5) for a while. Each time I got a new prescription I asked for a drug screen letter too just to cover me. We are subject to random drug/alcohol screens at any time. I will say this about phentermine, it is some nasty stuff. When I was taking it my mouth was always dry, my sleep sucked, and I was always antsy. When I took a break from it I had really bad sugar cravings for a few weeks. I tried taking only half a dose, but it didn't help much. You will lose weight, but you regain it all back and then some after you stop taking it. I advise everyone to stay away from it. The short term weight loss just isn't worth it.

**I know I didn't answer your question, but some one else may read this and decide to try using phentermine to lose weight.**

Response by Capt Michael Wilford made Aug 9 at 2019 4:31 PM

2019-08-09T16:31:26-04:00

This will, no doubt, be a kill joy response for all the barracks doctors here, but as a real doctor, I would strongly recommend that you do not take any advice from Rally Point contributors unless they are verified medical professionals. I have no doubt that there are those on here with the best intentions, but unless they are medical professionals, it is hearsay. Go and talk to your battalion surgeon and seek real, professional medical advice. UAs are serious business and the chain of custody and how UA samples are handled is also serious.