Does Phentermine 15mg Work?
Phentermine weight loss pills are available in a wide variety of doses: all the way from 8mg (the lowest) to 37.5mg (the highest in the US).
A lot of the information online centers around phentermine 37.5mg since it is the most common dose in the US. As a result, many patients are left wondering: does phentermine 15mg work?
Dosing recommendations state that physicians should always prescribe the lowest effective dose of phentermine, so some doctors start their patients on 15mg to test if this lower dose produces the desired results.
If it works, it’s advantageous to use a lesser dose of phentermine since it carries a lower risk of unwanted side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
The Basics of 15mg Phentermine
Phentermine 15mg is the lowest-available dose of generic phentermine. It is ideal for patients that are:
- New to phentermine
- Sensitive to stimulants, like phentermine
- Interested in taking phentermine 2x per day
- Weaning off phentermine
Like with all phentermine prescriptions, you should work with your doctor to determine the best dose for you.
Lower-dose pills contain less phentermine HCL per capsule, so they do not produce as strong of a biological response. This means they don’t suppress appetite or boost energy as much as higher-dose options, but it also means they tend to cause fewer side effects.
Phentermine 15mg is popular among new users because some doctors prefer to start their patients on a lower dose and then only increase the daily dosage if necessary.
It is also ideal for patients that need some help losing weight but who react strongly to stimulants and do not need (or tolerate) a higher dose.
Another use of phentermine 15mg capsules is as a twice-a-day prescription.
For people that struggle with afternoon and nighttime snacking, phentermine 37.5 sometimes proves ineffective because the medication wears off before their problem time.
In these patients, it may work better to prescribe 15mg in the morning and another 15mg to be taken midday. The schedule varies significantly from person-to-person, so it’s essential always to take phentermine precisely as prescribed.
Some doctors also prescribe 15mg to patients at the end of their weight loss journey if he/she is worried that the patient will experience withdrawal symptoms from abruptly stopping a higher dose.
What Does Phentermine 15mg Look Like?
In the USA, generic phentermine 15mg is made by KVK tech. They are yellow and gray capsules imprinted with “K 26” in black lettering. The active ingredient is phentermine hydrochloride (phentermine HCL), included as a phentermine HCL resin complex.
This is what they look like:
If you live in Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, you can also purchase brand-name phentermine 15mg. iNova Pharmaceuticals sells Duromine 15mg in these countries.
The capsules are light teal and gray with the imprint “DUROMINE 15” in black:
If you’re in Mexico, you can also buy phentermine 15mg under the brand names Acxion or Terfamex. Acxion 15mg comes as either a tablet or capsule, while Terfamex 15mg is sold as a capsule or ODT (orally disintegrating tablet). Terfamex is available in other Latin American countries as well.
The picture below is a Terfamex 15mg capsule:
How to Take Phentermine 15mg
At your initial consultation, your doctor should discuss specific dosing instructions for you.
Depending on your medical history, other medications, existing conditions, and weight loss goals, phentermine 15mg may be taken once or twice daily. Always take phentermine EXACTLY as prescribed.
When to Take Phentermine 15mg
Take phentermine 15mg first thing in the morning, about 30-60 minutes before your first meal. Swallowing the pill on an empty stomach allows the phentermine to work faster and more efficiently.
If your doctor prescribes phentermine 15mg capsules twice daily, the second pill is typically taken around lunchtime. Avoid taking this medication too late in the day because the stimulant effects of phentermine can disrupt your sleep and cause insomnia.
If you are unsure how to take phentermine in combination with other medications (e.g., thyroid medicine), make sure to discuss the two drugs’ potential interactions at your prescribing appointment.
You can also consult a pharmacist if unsure when or how to take specific medications.
What to Eat with Phentermine 15mg
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, the best diet for weight loss with phentermine 15mg is one that’s:
- Sustainable
- Balanced
- Mildly calorie-deficient
Phentermine is prescribed as a complement to (not a replacement for) lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and increases in physical activity.
Therefore, it’s essential to take your time with phentermine 15mg to focus on learning about healthy portions, nutritious swaps, and fueling your body for success. Likewise, the more you can make the activity a part of your daily routine, the better.
Nutrition-wise, aim to follow MyPlate guidelines at each meal: half a plate of non-starchy veggies, a quarter plate of lean protein, and a quarter plate of whole grains.
Minimize simple carbs (like sweets & white bread), unhealthy fats, and sweetened-sweetened beverages.
Can You Take Two 15mg Phentermine in a day?
It is possible to take two 15mg phentermine pills on the same day because 15 + 15 = 30, which is less than the maximum dosage recommendation of 37.5mg per day.
However, the final answer to this question depends on your individual doctor’s orders.
If your doctor prescribes phentermine 15mg twice daily (e.g., one before breakfast and one in the early afternoon), it is okay to take two pills daily.
Important: you should NEVER take more phentermine than prescribed. If you are only supposed to take phentermine 15mg capsules once daily, do NOT increase your dose (or take two doses per day) without talking to a medical professional first.
Different people have different tolerances to medication, so it’s important for your health and safety that a doctor examine you and consider your other conditions and medication before increasing your daily phentermine dosage.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Phentermine 15mg?
Because many factors influence weight loss, how much weight you can lose on phentermine 15mg is not an exact figure. Some people lose more than 20 pounds a month, while others struggle to lose even one pound per week.
Factors that influence the weight you can lose on phentermine 15mg are, for example, the starting weight, pre-existing medical conditions, genetics, diet, or level of physical activity.
Despite the wide range of phentermine 15mg results (see success stories and reviews in the section below), most people lose weight with phentermine rather than without it.
Phentermine 15mg Reviews & Results
Phentermine 15mg is a well-established, relatively popular dose of the standard weight loss medication, but does it actually work?
Users seem to have mixed reviews of this lower-dose pill. Here are a few recent users’ accounts of their experiences with phentermine 15mg:
HiKitty
“I’ve been on 15mg capsules [for 3 weeks], and I’m down 21lbs. I feel it loses its kick by Friday, so taking the weekends off and restarting Monday has worked for me.”
Jewel
“I started taking Phentermine 15 mg capsules twice per day as part of a low carb/moderate protein diet. I found that using 15 mg of Phentermine was a big help with hunger AND cravings! I lost weight at a nice pace (5 lbs the first week, 3 to 4 lbs the 2nd week, and 1-2 lbs per week thereafter). I did not exercise as I was very busy at work. After a few months, I was able to take 1 phentermine per day with no big differences.
I did lose 87 lbs that year, and it was great. However, I fell back into my old habits, and my family doctor prescribed the 37.5 mg tablet for me and told me to break it in half and use the whole tablet in one day. I did the same diet and lost but hated the aftertaste of the tablet. I am now back on the 15 mg capsule twice per day and doing well.”
Carrie B.
“I’m on 15 mg. It worked for 2 weeks, and now I might as well not even take it. My appetite is back, I either gain weight or maintain regardless of how well I behave myself….”
Amy
“The first 3 weeks of taking 15mg once daily along with 30 minutes of daily cardio was working wonders, I had lost 10lbs, but then week 4 was a struggle as my appetite was no longer suppressed, but I still tried very hard to consume a low-calorie diet, and I would gain a half a pound then lose a half a pound. At my one-month checkup, my doctor refused to up my dosage she said 15mg should work fine my appetite was back up just because I was working out ( I had started three months prior to starting the medication). I was really looking forward to losing approx 10 pounds a month for the three months she will prescribe the medication, but here I am halfway through the second month and only lost one pound. About 5 years ago, before I had kids, I took the 37.5mg for 3 months and had great results without even dieting or exercising I lost 30lbs.”
Waymet18
“Lately, I have heard many people saying they find the 15mg doses more effective than the 37.5mg. Kind of weird, but not all metabolisms and bodies are the same, right?”
Heather
“Yesterday morning, my doctor prescribed me Phentermine 15mg capsules and spironolactone, a diuretic for my PCOS… I’m excited because I’ve heard good things about Phen, and I’ve been trying to diet for a while now, changing my eating habits, being a little more active, and using the Lose It app, so I’m really hoping it will help! So far, I haven’t really felt any different. My energy level and appetite seem to be about usual.”
Churkihead
“I started on the lowest dose of 15mg on July 18th and felt very good. I started feeling a lot of energy right away and started losing weight little by little. On July 12th, I went back to my doctor, and she increased the dose to 37.5 mg…” (translated from Spanish)
BenniBee
“Started generic phentermine 15mg two days ago. On the first day, I didn’t notice a decrease in appetite nor an increase in energy, but I did notice an extreme thirst and a little dry mouth. I drank 120 fl oz of water (typically 40-60 oz/day). I weighed the next morning and lost 1 lb. On the second day (today), I noticed a slight decrease in hunger (hungry at normal times, but it took slightly less to fill me) and had a slight increase in energy (though I don’t know if that’s from the phentermine or the 8 hours of sleep I had last night), and drank 100 oz of water.”
These mixed feelings towards phentermine 15mg are echoed in other online groups as well, such as the phentermine.com support group on Facebook.
While not everyone experiences success with these low-dose options, others can achieve their weight loss goals without needing a higher dose.
Greta’s success story
One example of an outstanding success story with phentermine 15mg is Greta. She lost an impressive 53 pounds with phentermine 15mg in just over 4 months!
Here’s her success story (in her own words):
“I learned about phentermine from a weight loss center here in North Carolina. 🙂 I was tired of being tired all of the time. I wanted to be healthy and needed a lifestyle change.
I don’t have a strict diet; I simply eat around 1200-1300 calories of anything I want daily. I don’t really exercise much. I take an occasional walk and swim this summer. I don’t have a menu plan; I eat anything within my calorie limits. No restrictions. I really haven’t had any difficulty.
I just made gradual changes and stuck with it. I think slow and steady is the way to go. All of the non-scale victories. I was able to buckle a seat belt without an extension, fit into smaller-sized clothes, and feel confident. My next goal is to lay on the hammock with my husband, ten more pounds, and I will. 💜
Never give up! All of you CAN do this. Phentermine is an excellent tool to help you on your journey. Keep a good journal, keep moving, drink water, and push forward! Keep setting small goals to keep you focused. You CAN do this. You will be so glad you did!”
So, Does Phentermine 15mg Work After All?
Like most other medications, it depends on the person! Some people achieve amazing results with this low dose of phentermine, while others find it relatively ineffective.
Nonetheless, it remains common practice for doctors to start new patients on phentermine 15mg. This is to test your individual tolerance to the medication and minimize unpleasant side effects.
It can take a few days to feel the pills’ appetite-suppressing and energy-boosting effects, but if you still aren’t losing weight at your one-month checkup, don’t be shy about asking your doctor to increase the dose.
I became extremely depressed because of a traumatic experience in 1996. No matter what I did, I never felt like myself again. I was on 2 antidepressants and an anti-anxiety but I struggled daily. Over several years I became very overweight and over the counter medications just made me shake. I asked my doctor if there was a prescription to help me lose weight and he prescribed Phentermine. Within 20 min. of taking the first pill, I felt normal again. I looked around my kitchen and couldn’t believe that I had my life back. I was happy, I could focus and remember things, I didn’t dwell on the negative and in the two years that I was allowed to take it, I never once thought about suicide. Then I went for a refill and it was denied. Since I didn’t abuse this or any other medication, I called my doctor to ask what happened and he explained that it can cause heart valve damage and I needed to stop taking it. I have no heart issues, no high blood pressure or any other concerns that would affect my taking the med. I offered to do EEG’s if required but he felt strongly that I needed to stop. I had my life back for 2 years. Now I’m back to the major depression I had for 22 out of 24 years. I found something magic and can’t have it anymore. I really wish the makers of Phentermine would understand how much it helped me with mental illness. Maybe others had this amazing recovery, too. It made all the difference in the world.
The first 3 weeks of taking 15mg once daily along with 30 minutes of daily cardio was working wonders, I had lost 10lbs but then week 4 was a struggle as my appetite was no longer surpressed but I still tried very hard to consume a low calorie diet and I would gain a half a pound then loose a half a pound. At my one month checkup my doctor refused to up my dosage she said 15mg should work fine my appetite was back up just because I was working out ( I had started three months prior to starting the medication). I was really looking forward loosing approx 10 pounds a month for the three months she will prescribe the medication but here I am half way through the second month and only lost one pound. About 5 years ago before I had kids I took the 37.5mg for 3 months and had great results without even dieting or exercising I lost 30lbs.
I started taking Phentermine 15 mg capsules twice per day as part of a low carb/moderate protein (3 oz protein at meals and 3-1 oz protein snacks per day (total 12 oz protein per day) I did have to count my carbs – had a list on veggies and fruits. 25-30 grams of carbs from fruits (mostly berries) and veggies. I ate NO potatoes, rice, or bread at all as they are very high carbs. Veggies and fruits with carbs and fiber need to be calculated for carbs if you don’t have a bonafide list. If an item has 12 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fiber, subtract the fiber from the carb to get net carbs. (12 – 2 = 10 net carbs). Net carbs should be 30 or less per day. For those who don’t lose on 30 – try 25 per day. There are some veggies that are considered free like lettuce, spinach, etc. because they can be eaten in large amounts without consequence. I was also instructed to drink lots of water and liquids that were calorie free. I make my own iced tea, add fresh lemon and some stevia and ice as a change up for water. Between the water and iced tea and 2 mugs of coffee in the am, I drink 1a gallon of fluid per day which has helped. Do not drink fruit juices or drinks with sugar – even natural sugar as there are lots of carbs in them!
I found that using 15 mg of Phentermine was a big help with hunger AND cravings! I lost weight at a nice pace (5 lbs the first week, 3 to 4 lbs the 2nd week, and 1-2 lbs per week thereafter). I did not exercise as I was very busy at work (not a very active job – mostly on pc all day) After a few months I was able to take 1 phentermine per day with no big differences.
I did lose 87 lbs that year and it was great. However, I fell back into my old habits and my family doctor prescribed the 37.5 mg tablet for me and told me to break in half and use the whole tablet in one day. I did the same diet and lost but hated the aftertaste of the tablet. I am now back on the 15 mg capsule twice per day and doing well. In addition, I retired and bought an Apple Watch on Amazon (Series 3 GPS only – no Cellular to use with iphone) for $199.00 and it tracks my exercise, steps, and calories burned per day. It reminds me to stand at least once an hour while I am awake, and reminds me to BREATHE! It makes a big difference with the Watch!
So if you can track your activity it is encouraging! Get an Apple Watch or a Fitbit or whatever you like to help you! Good luck and have a good time changing your habits for life!