HomeAnswersInternal MedicinephentermineCan Phentermine cause a bad taste in the mouth?

What can be the reason for bad taste in my mouth coupled with constipation?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At December 16, 2017
Reviewed AtJune 30, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Two weeks ago, I started Wellbutrin SR. I started with a dose of 100 mg in the first week. In the second week, I went up to 200 mg following doctor's orders. The doctor also prescribed Trazodone 100 mg at night when needed for sleep. I stopped taking Trazodone because I felt drained and exhausted all day. The next day, I was also taking Wellbutrin in the morning. Once I stopped the Trazodone, I immediately felt a difference. I was not exhausted and I was not irritable. It has been five days since I started experiencing a bad taste in my mouth and overall I am not feeling good. I have also been taking Phentermine 37.5 mg for weight loss for the past two weeks. I am also on a birth control pill. Could this be the cause of it? I have a bad taste in my mouth, constipation, headaches, and a stomachache. In the past, I have taken Lexapro for depression. I have gained weight of 20 pounds in three months, have lost the sexual drive, and I have exhaustion and I am irritable. What can be done?

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Your unpleasant taste in the mouth could be due to one of the two reasons; Phentermine itself is known for this side effect and Wellbutrin (Bupropion) and OCPs (oral contraceptive pills) can make GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and/or gastritis symptoms worse which can subsequently cause a bad taste in mouth and nausea. Are you a smoker? Which type of OCPs are you taking? Do you have any family history of blood clots? Did you have any blood clots in the legs or lungs? I suggest you try Omeprazole 20 mg once daily 30 minutes before breakfast daily. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and with their consent take the medicines. Preventive measures include the fact that the combo of Phentermine and Wellbutrin together can increase the risk for seizures. If you are prone to seizures, have only one of these drugs. You need to reduce spicy and sweet foods intake. You should also avoid eating in the last two hours before bedtime. Follow up as needed.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I am not a smoker. My birth control pill is Microgynon 30 (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel). I have no blood clot history in my family or myself. The Phentermine causes me to drink a lot of water, which I know is normal. But, my urine is still pretty dark looking. Is there any other prescribed medication for weight loss?

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I am relieved to know that you are a non-smoker and you do not have a history of blood clots since the OCPs (oral contraceptive pills) can increase the risk of blood clots in legs and lungs in a smoker. Now coming to weight loss, excessive thirst could also be due to Wellbutrin (Bupropion). Yes, there are other agents for weight loss. I suggest you take Orlistat 120 mg three times a day with a fatty meal. It should not be taken if you are not taking a fatty meal. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and with their consent take the medicines. The fat content should be less than 30%, it should be taken either with the meal or within an hour after the meal. Do not take it if you skip a meal or if it has no fat in it. This has to be combined with exercise and dietary modifications to give maximum results. For your information, Phentermine can cause insomnia. Please do not discontinue it abruptly and do not take both Phentermine and Orlistat together.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Internal Medicine

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