AboutDr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi Expertise I can provide information on drugs and medicines, their actions, uses, interactions and adverse effects. To avoid confusion, generic names of
medicines may please be provided. I am a pharmacologist, having worked
on animal and human pharmacology, and presently I am the Dean of Bilcare Research Academy, where we teach courses on clinical research. We dont work on saturdays and sundays, hence questions reachng me on these days will be replied on Monday, please bear with me.
Question QUESTION: Hello Dr. Bhaskar Ghooi,
I've been taking the weight lost product Fastin that I ordered from GNC since August 2008 when I was 253lbs. From taking this product (along with diet and exercise) I've lost a total of 73lbs. Not only do I look better but I feel better as well. My feet don't swell and I'm not taking high blood pressure medication any longer.
My main concern is regarding this product is it safe for me to continue taking this product and will it show on a drug test i.e., blood or urine samples? Also I wanted to know is this product safe for someone to take if they have diabetes and high blood pressure?
ANSWER: Hi Ms. Concerned,
Loss of 73 kg in 9 months is a fantastic weight loss. I must compliment you on your success.
I would not worry about the product showing up in drug screening tests, since the tests are quite specific and phentermine is not a banned drug.
This drug does have cardiovascular side effect which you need to watch for, but you dont have to discontinue it due to the fear of side effects.
Since the drug cause tachycardia (increase in heart rate) keep checking your heart rate and blood pressure.
Generally women are less prone to heart disease, but the susceptibility goes up suddenly after menopause. Till then a regular check for cardiac activity is advisable. As soon as you reach the desired weight, then you can stop the drug and maintain your weight with diet and exercise.
Ravi Ghooi
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QUESTION: Once again thanks for the quick response. I also wanted to know is it safe for someone who had Type 1 diabetes and high blood pressure to take this product. My mother has started taking the product as well for about a month and a half and she has lost 10lbs so far? She is the one that has been diagnosed with what I described to you above. Is Fastin safe for her to take along with diet and exercise? She is 51 years of age currently weighing 270lbs.
Answer Hi Ms. Concerned,
It is difficult to tell whether she is past menopause or pre menopausal. In any case a regular cardiac check would be advisable. Hypertension is not a contraindication for the use of the drug, but one should be careful while using it.
Type I diabetes is not a serious condition while usng the drug.
Again care should be exercised.
Ravi Ghooi
