Two medicines, side by side
Phendimetrazine vs phentermine
Phendimetrazine and phentermine are both labeled for weight management. Drugs@FDA records approvals of phendimetrazine since 1979 and of phentermine since 1973. Pharmacies paid $0.132 per phendimetrazine 35 mg tablet and $0.0727 per phentermine 37.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the phendimetrazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 6, 2024); the phentermine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 18, 2024).
Highlights of the phendimetrazine record
Phendimetrazine · label of December 6, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsPhendimetrazine tartrate is indicated in the management of exogenous obesity as a short term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m 2 or higher who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone. Below is a chart of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on various heights and weights. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 16, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.132 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the phentermine record
Phentermine (Lomaira) · label of April 18, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsPhentermine Hydrochloride, USP 15 mg and 30 mg is indicated as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 , or greater than or equal to 27 kg/m 2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 14, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0727 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Phendimetrazine label of December 6, 2024, Phentermine label of April 18, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do phendimetrazine and phentermine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class sympathomimetic amine anorectics.
Generics: phendimetrazine since 1975; phentermine since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: phendimetrazine CIII; phentermine CIV.
| Phendimetrazine | Phentermine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Weight management | Weight management |
| Pharmacologic class | Sympathomimetic Amine Anorectic | Sympathomimetic Amine Anorectic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity similar to the prototype drugs of this class used in obesity, amphetamine (d- and dll-amphetamine). |
| Half-life (label) | The average half-life of elimination when studied under controlled conditions is about 3.7 hours for both the extended-release and immediate release forms. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 16, 1979 | August 14, 1973 |
| First generic approved | October 20, 1975 | February 24, 1976 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.132 per tablet (Phendimetrazine 35 mg tablet) | $0.0727 per tablet (Phentermine 37.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +4% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57 | 6,389 |
| DEA schedule | CIII | CIV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to phendimetrazine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions