Tenuate (Diethylpropion) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Diethylpropion hydrochloride
- Other name
- Amfepramone
- Brand names
- Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan (discontinued brands)
- Drug class
- Sympathomimetic amine (anorectic)
- US legal status
- Schedule IV, prescription only
- Approved uses
- Short-term (a few weeks) management of exogenous obesity
- Forms
- 25 mg tablets; 75 mg extended-release tablets
- Onset
- About 1 hour
Tenuate uses: what diethylpropion is prescribed for
Diethylpropion reduces appetite and is approved for a few weeks of use in a weight-loss program for people with a body mass index of 30 or more.[1]
In 2022 the European Medicines Agency recommended revoking authorizations for amfepramone after finding it was used beyond recommended durations and in people with heart risk factors.[2]
Tenuate dosage: how diethylpropion is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use diethylpropion. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Product | Typical adult dose | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate-release tablets | 25 mg three times a day, 1 hour before meals | An extra dose mid-evening may be used for night hunger |
| Extended-release tablets | 75 mg once a day, mid-morning | Swallow whole |
| Duration | A few weeks | Tolerance develops |
Tenuate (diethylpropion) side effects and risks
Common side effects include dry mouth, restlessness, insomnia, constipation, and fast heartbeat.[1]
Heart and lungs: appetite-suppressant stimulants raise heart rate and blood pressure. Rare but serious risks include pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart valve disease, especially when combined with other weight-loss drugs.[1]
Dependence: they are chemically related to amphetamine and can be misused; tolerance to the appetite effect develops within weeks.
Seizures: it may lower the seizure threshold in people with epilepsy.[1]
Tenuate interactions: what not to mix with diethylpropion
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| MAO inhibitors (within 14 days) | Hypertensive crisis | Contraindicated |
| Other weight-loss drugs and stimulants | Heart and lung risks; overstimulation | Do not combine |
| Alcohol | Dizziness and masked impairment | Avoid |
| Insulin and diabetes medicines | Lower blood sugar as appetite falls | Dose adjustment may be needed |
| Blood pressure medicines | Reduced effect | Monitor |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Tenuate overdose: signs of diethylpropion overdose and what to do
Overdose causes restlessness, tremor, confusion, panic, hallucinations, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms.[1]
If someone may be overdosing
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, weakness on one side, slurred speech), a very high body temperature, or if the person collapses.
- Move them somewhere cool and calm, loosen tight clothing, and cool the skin with water. Do not try to hold them down.
- If they become unresponsive or their breathing slows, give naloxone. Street stimulants are often contaminated with fentanyl.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Tenuate withdrawal timeline: how long diethylpropion withdrawal lasts
Stopping diethylpropion after regular use does not cause dangerous physical withdrawal, but it can cause a temporary crash.[1]
- Days 1 to 3CrashTiredness, increased sleep, hunger, and low mood.
- Week 1AdjustingLow energy, poor concentration, and irritability.
- Weeks 2 to 4SettlesMood and energy usually return to baseline.
Low mood after stopping can be significant. Anyone with thoughts of self-harm should call or text 988.
How to get prescribed Tenuate (diethylpropion) legally in the US
In the United States, diethylpropion is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[3]
- Refills: a Schedule IV prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.[4]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[5]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[6][7]
- Cost: generic diethylpropion is inexpensive but rarely covered for weight loss.
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order Tenuate (diethylpropion) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill diethylpropion prescriptions online and ship them. Buying diethylpropion from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[6][8]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether diethylpropion is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells diethylpropion with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[6][7]
Tenuate price: how much does Tenuate (diethylpropion) cost without insurance?
Generic diethylpropion is inexpensive but rarely covered for weight loss.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic diethylpropion is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[6]
Is Tenuate legal? Diethylpropion legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| European Union | Marketing authorizations revoked in 2022 |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (as amfepramone) |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[9]
Common questions about Tenuate (diethylpropion)
Is Tenuate (diethylpropion) still available in the US?
Yes, as a generic Schedule IV prescription medicine.
Why was amfepramone withdrawn in Europe?
Regulators found it was used too long and in people with heart risks, despite restrictions, and that risks outweighed benefits.
Is Tenuate (diethylpropion) safer than phentermine?
Both have similar risks. Neither is meant for long-term use.
Can Tenuate (diethylpropion) be used in pregnancy?
No. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy.
Is Tenuate (diethylpropion) an amphetamine?
It is chemically related to amphetamine and cathinone but is milder.
Can you buy Tenuate (diethylpropion) without a prescription?
No. Tenuate (diethylpropion) is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the DEA warns that pills sold this way are often counterfeit and can contain fentanyl. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Sources
- Tenuate (diethylpropion) prescription information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Amfepramone medicines to be removed from the EU market. European Medicines Agency, 2022.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
