Patient Information Leaflet
You have been given a medication called:
Diethylpropion Hydrochloride BP Tablets 75mg
Please read this information leaflet carefully before starting your medication. Please retain it for your records and feel free to discuss any further questions with your Slimming Clinic doctor.
1. What is Diethylpropion?
Diethylpropion is a medication used in the treatment of overweight and obesity and is a centrally acting appetite suppressant. It is also a Class C/Schedule 3 Controlled Drug.
2. How does it work?
Diethylpropion alters the release of chemical messengers within the appetite control centre of the brain called the hypothalamus leading to appetite suppression and reduced hunger perception.
3. When is Diethylpropion prescribed?
Diethylpropion is prescribed to suitable patients for the treatment of overweight/obesity with either:
• BMI ≥ 30
• BMI ≥ 27 – 30 with a medical comorbidity related to weight.
4. What is different about Diethylpropion?
Diethylpropion is an unlicensed medication. This means it does not have a product licence from Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It has been prescribed to you by a doctor as a “Special” as there is no licensed suitable alternative available and it is has been judged to be in your best interest. Our Diethylpropion medication is tailor made to your requirements by our manufacturer who holds a “Specials” Licence, a full MHRA UK Manufacturers Licence and a UK Home Office licence to handle controlled drugs.
5. Why do I need an unlicensed medication?
The doctor has decided to prescribe you an unlicensed medication as in accordance with MHRA recommendations there is no licensed suitable alternative.
6. How do I know the medication is safe?
When you start any new medication there is always a small risk that it will not be suitable for you and you may not tolerate it. It is important that you have told your Slimming Clinic doctor about any medical conditions you have and any other medication you take. We are confident in the quality of medication and our Licensed Manufacturer ensures the medication is of the highest standard available.
7. What do Diethylpropion Hydrochloride Tablets 75mg contain?
The active substance is 75mg diethylpropion hydrochloride. The other ingredients are pregelatinised starch, lactose, tartaric acid, brown iron oxide, dispersed erthrosine lake and magnesium stearate.
8. What do Diethylpropion Hydrochloride Tablets 75mg look like?
Diethylpropion Hydrochloride tablets 75mg are small, round, pink tablets. You will be supplied with either 7, 14, 21 or 28 tablets.
9. How to obtain a further supply
When you require a further supply of this medication, please make an appointment with your Slimming Clinic doctor.
10. When to take your medication
You must take your tablets as advised by your doctor. The normal dose for this medication is ONE 75mg tablet ONCE a day. This medication should be taken regularly once a day, preferably with a meal and a full glass of water and swallowed whole. If you miss a dose, do not take an extra tablet to catch up and never exceed the dose recommended by the doctor. Please refer to the label on your medication.
• Diethylpropion may be habit forming. It is important that you do not share diethylpropion with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
• Do not crush, chew or break an extended-release tablet as it alters how the medication is released in your body.
11. Precautions
Alcohol should be avoided as Diethylpropion may increase its effects. This medication may cause some people to feel a false sense of wellbeing or to become dizzy, light-headed, drowsy or less alert than normal. Do not drive or use machinery until you are sure that your tablets are not going to affect your reactions. Before having any kind of surgery, dental treatment or emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. You should not take this medication if you are pregnant, breast feeding or trying to become pregnant.
Do not use diethylpropion if you have used a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOi) in the past 14 days, as a dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAOi include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine and others. Do not take diethylpropion with other diet medication unless your doctor tells you to. Taking diethylpropion in combination with other diet medications may cause serious side effects.
12. Side effects
Diethylpropion is usually well tolerated and causes few side effects. Side effects are usually transient and subside as the body adjusts to the medication. Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, headache, difficulty sleeping, feeling more alert and feeling warmer and sweatier. Please inform your Slimming Clinic doctor if you experience any side effects such as breathlessness on exercising, restlessness, low mood, dizziness, nervousness, raised blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, severe headache or a feeling of elation combined with difficulty sleeping. If any other worrying or troublesome side effects occur then please contact your Slimming Clinic doctor immediately.
13. Reporting side effects
If you get any side effects, please talk to your Slimming Clinic doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme online at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
14. Out of hours medical advice
The Slimming Clinic has doctors available for advice during clinic hours. It does not operate an out of hours service. If you experience any side effects or problems with the medication, you can call our Customer Service Team on 0800 917 9334 between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. If you experience any problems outside of these hours, please contact out of hours medical services or attend Accident and Emergency if needed. Please take this leaflet with you.
15. Storage
• Keep out of sight and reach of children
• Do not store above 25°C
• Store away from direct light and heat
• Do not store in the bathroom cabinet, near the kitchen sink, or in any other damp place as heat and moisture may cause this medication to deteriorate
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the bottle
16. Remember
Your medication has been prescribed for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it, so never give it to anyone else. Although you may find the medicine works extremely well for you without any side effects, it may be harmful to someone else.
17. Manufacturer
Essential Nutrition Limited Bank House Saltgrounds Road Brough HU15 1EG
Further Information
For more information or if you have any questions regarding your medication or treatment, please ask your doctor.
IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR TREATMENT AT THE SLIMMING CLINIC SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
TSC103. Review Date: July 2025
www.theslimmingclinic.com | 0800 917 9334 The Slimming Clinic, 65 Basepoint Business Centre, Aviation Park West, Bournemouth International Airport, Hurn, Christchurch, BH23 6NX