Phentermine is a prescription medication approved by the FDA that doctors prescribe specifically to suppress appetite for weight loss over the short term when people are obese or overweight. A sympathomimetic amine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and decreasing appetite. Due to its amphetamine similarities, phentermine is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Therefore, qualified healthcare providers should monitor for its use since abuse or dependency could occur.
Phentermine can be detected in the human body via drug testing methodologies using various biological specimens, which have varying reliability and detection times. Therefore, people who are subjected to drug detection or medical procedures should know of the different ways that one can detect them.
Different Drug Test Methods
Phentermine can be identified using urine, blood, saliva, or hair follicle specimens, and a brief discussion of each follows:
- Urine Test: The most commonly used screening methodology is urine analysis. Urine testing can detect phentermine for approximately 1 to 4 days since the last dose. If a positive test result occurs, the healthcare provider will likely perform a confirmation screening with a method such as a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS).
- Blood Test: A blood test may detect phentermine for 24 hours. This is true following the last dosage taken. Phentermine is a stimulant similar to amphetamines, entering the bloodstream fast. Because of its stimulant effects, it works in a fast and efficient manner to help people lose weight.
- Saliva Test: When taking a saliva drug test, phentermine can be detected for 1–2 days after your last dose. Saliva tests are less invasive and provide quick, real-time results.
- Hair Follicle Test: A hair follicle method is a reliable method for detecting phentermine, a prescription stimulant that can appear in a hair drug test for up to 90 days after your last dose.