Lomaira

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Lomaira

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Lomaira

Property Description
Active ingredient Phentermine Hydrochloride
Form Oral Tablet (Low-dose, scored)
Pharmacological class Sympathomimetic Amine Anorectic
Common use Short-term adjunct for weight reduction
Origin Synthetic (chemically derived)

Lomaira is a prescription medicine used to assist in the short-term management of exogenous obesity in adults. Its therapeutic action is delivered via the active ingredient, Phentermine Hydrochloride, which functions as an appetite suppressant. This specific product is characterized as a low-dose formulation, designed to be taken by the oral route of administration as a supportive measure alongside increased physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet.

What Type of Medicine is Lomaira? (Definition and Classification)

The pharmacological classification of Lomaira is a sympathomimetic amine anorectic, simultaneously recognized as a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant. This identity means the drug is chemically related to amphetamines and acts on the brain to influence specific chemical messengers, such as norepinephrine, involved in hunger regulation. Phentermine stimulates the secretion of noradrenaline in the central nervous system, which is clinically recognized for facilitating necessary changes in eating behavior.

Composition and Form: What Makes Lomaira Unique? (Form and Composition)

The single active constituent of the medication is Phentermine Hydrochloride USP. It is presented as a solid, scored oral tablet. Lomaira is distinguished within the phentermine family because it is the lowest available strength formulation, providing a specific option for initiating therapy. The tablet base consists of standard pharmaceutical excipients, including microcrystalline cellulose and hydrogenated vegetable oil, which form the necessary solid structure.

What is the General Purpose of Lomaira? (High-Level Therapeutic Use)

The core purpose of Lomaira is to provide pharmacological assistance to patients striving for weight reduction. By acting as an appetite suppressant, the medication facilitates the necessary commitment to a reduced-calorie diet. In short-term trials, adult patients treated with anorectic drugs alongside dietary management experienced enhanced weight loss outcomes. This supports the general therapeutic goal of the medication: to help curb the impulse to eat, thereby contributing to the achievement of a caloric deficit over a limited time frame.

What side effects are possible with Lomaira?

The official safety profile for Lomaira (Phentermine Hydrochloride) documents adverse reactions across several physiological systems, as classified in regulatory documents. While many effects are listed without specific frequency tiers in the core labeling, some severe reactions are formally classified as occurring in Rare Cases.

Documented Adverse Reactions and Systems

Adverse effects are grouped by the specific System-Organ Classes they affect:

  • Cardiovascular: Reactions include palpitation, tachycardia, and elevation of blood pressure. Serious events, though rare, include Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Regurgitant Cardiac Valvular Disease, which are life-threatening conditions highlighted in regulatory warnings.
  • Central Nervous System (CNS): Effects may include overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, and tremor. Rare psychotic episodes have also been documented.
  • Gastrointestinal: Common effects include dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, constipation, and diarrhea.

Safety Constraints and Population-Specific Statements

The regulatory profile sets forth specific limitations regarding use and exposure:

  • Vulnerable Populations: The medication is formally contraindicated during pregnancy and in patients with severe renal impairment. Safety and effectiveness are not established for pediatric use (age 16 and under), and caution is advised for older adults due to potential decreased organ function.
  • Duration and Timing: The regulatory text notes that the anorectic effect may lead to tolerance within a few weeks, signaling a need for drug discontinuation. Late evening administration should be avoided due to the potential for insomnia.
  • Contraindications: Use with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) is strictly forbidden due to the risk of hypertensive crisis, and the co-administration with other weight loss drugs is officially not recommended.
  • Abuse Potential: Phentermine is classified as a Schedule IV Controlled Substance due to the potential for abuse and dependence, and it may impair a patient's ability to safely operate machinery or drive.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Overdosage with Phentermine Hydrochloride (Lomaira) is primarily characterized by effects related to Central Nervous System (CNS) overstimulation. Documented acute manifestations include restlessness, tremor, hyperreflexia, confusion, assaultiveness, hallucinations, and panic states. Following the initial central stimulation, fatigue and depression usually occur. Gastrointestinal symptoms noted are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

The official regulatory profile emphasizes the risk of severe, life-threatening outcomes. These include significant cardiovascular instability such as arrhythmias, extreme hypertension or hypotension, and potentially circulatory collapse. The most severe CNS events documented are convulsions and coma, with regulatory sources noting that fatal poisoning typically terminates in these specific neurological manifestations.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Due to the documented risk of severe outcomes, including circulatory collapse and fatal poisoning, immediate medical attention must be sought if an overdose is suspected or recognized.

Treatment is strictly symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known. Officially described supportive measures include procedures such as gastric lavage and sedation (with a barbiturate) to manage severe CNS effects. Management of acute, severe hypertension may involve the suggested use of intravenous phentolamine. Additionally, the regulatory profile notes that manifestations of chronic intoxication can include severe psychosis and marked personality changes.

Therapeutic Uses of Lomaira

The medication is commonly used to help with short-term support in the management of exogenous obesity in adult patients. It is used as an adjunctive measure, meaning it is prescribed only to complement a professionally supervised regimen that includes increased physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet. This medication may be part of symptomatic management for weight loss.


Lomaira is commonly used to help with conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms related to body mass, specifically in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, or those with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater who have coexisting weight-related comorbidities. This supportive relief may be relevant in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns where temporary assistance is appropriate.

The medication contributes to easing symptoms related to systemic imbalance that manifest as persistent hunger or strong impulses to eat that may interfere with functional stability when adhering to dietary goals. In these situations, Lomaira supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress and may assist with managing symptoms that lead to weight-related challenges.

Quick Fact: Relief for Appetite Control

Lomaira helps address symptoms that interfere with daily functioning by supporting the patient during the difficult, initial phase of managing the caloric intake. This supportive therapeutic benefit can assist with contributing to improved comfort during the phases of starting a structured weight loss program and may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH DailyMed label for Phentermine Hydrochloride

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility for Lomaira (Phentermine)

Lomaira is officially designated for use as a short-term adjunct for weight reduction in adults who meet specific initial Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria. This includes adults 17 years of age and older with a BMI of 30 kg/m^2 or greater, or a BMI of 27 kg/m^2 or greater if they have certain weight-related risk factors.

Eligibility Criteria Regulatory Status
Allowed Population Adults ge 17 years of age with exogenous obesity who meet specific high BMI thresholds.
Use Not Recommended Pediatric patients le 16 years of age (safety and effectiveness not established).

Absolute Contraindications

Use of the medication is strictly prohibited in patients presenting with the following conditions:

  • History of cardiovascular disease (including uncontrolled hypertension).
  • Hyperthyroidism or Glaucoma.
  • In an agitated state or with a history of drug abuse.
  • During or within 14 days of taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).

Special Population Restrictions

Population Eligibility Status
Pregnancy Contraindicated (Category X).
Nursing Mothers Avoid use.
Renal Impairment Use with caution; avoid use in severe cases.
Older Adults Use with caution (due to potential for decreased organ function).

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official interaction profile for Lomaira is defined by pharmacodynamic constraints and specific substance prohibitions documented in government regulatory sources. These official statements delineate specific prohibitions and rules for separating administration.

Contraindicated Combinations and Timing Rules

  • Use is formally contraindicated during or within 14 days following the administration of a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), as co-administration carries the risk of a severe hypertensive crisis.

Pharmacodynamic Restrictions

  • Co-administration with Adrenergic Neuron Blocking Drugs may result in a clinically significant effect, as phentermine may decrease the hypotensive effect of these co-administered agents.
  • The use of Lomaira is not recommended in combination with other drug products for weight loss, including prescribed medications, over-the-counter preparations, and herbal products.
  • The same non-recommended restriction applies to co-administration with Serotonergic Agents (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Substance and Population Notes

  • Concomitant use of alcohol is linked in regulatory documents to the potential for an adverse drug reaction.
  • A specific population-dependent interaction note exists for patients using Insulin or Oral Hypoglycemic Medications. Due to changes associated with the weight reduction regimen, the medication requirements for the dosage of the hypoglycemic agent may be altered.

The regulatory documents establish the drug’s interaction structure primarily through mandates concerning Pharmacodynamic Sympathomimetic Reinforcement and clear Coadministration Restrictions.

Mechanism of Action

Central Appetite Signaling Modulation

This domain addresses the drug's core action as a monoamine releasing agent on transporters for norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, primarily within the hypothalamus. The resulting surge in norepinephrine modulates specific neurological pathways that govern appetite regulation. This interaction leads to altered signaling patterns corresponding to satiety (fullness) and anorexia (reduced appetite).

Systemic Sympathomimetic Activation

This mechanistic domain reflects the drug's role as a sympathomimetic amine that broadly modulates the Central Sympathetic Nervous System (CNS). This activity extends beyond the appetite centers, causing general CNS stimulation and contributing to a slight acceleration in resting energy expenditure. This systemic effect occurs concurrently with the hypothalamic action, contributing to the modulation of the body's metabolic tone and energy balance processes.

⏳ Mechanism Limitations and Functional Tolerance

This final domain explains a functional constraint inherent to the drug's action: tachyphylaxis (tolerance). Because the mechanism relies on the release of stored neurotransmitters, the functional effectiveness may diminish over time as the central nervous system adapts to chronic stimulation or as the readily available stores of these monoamines become functionally depleted.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Lomaira: Official Administration Guidelines

Lomaira (phentermine hydrochloride 8 mg) is intended for short-term use as an adjunct to a comprehensive regimen of caloric restriction, behavioral modification, and physical activity. Usage instructions dictate precise administration guidelines focusing strictly on the mechanics of consumption and dosing schedule.


Administration Details

Feature Instruction
Route of Administration The medication is administered via the oral route as a tablet.
Dosing Frequency The usual adult regimen is to take the dose three times a day (TID).
Timing in Relation to Meals Each dose should be taken approximately 30 minutes before a meal.
Time of Day Constraint Late evening administration must be avoided to minimize the possibility of insomnia.

Official Dosing and Adjustment Rules

Lomaira is formulated as an 8 mg tablet, which is the lowest available strength of phentermine. The full dose is 8 mg of phentermine hydrochloride. To achieve the lowest effective therapeutic level, the dosage must be individualized. The tablet is scored to facilitate dose modification, allowing for the administration of 4 mg (one half of the tablet) for patients who do not require the full strength.

Treatment must be discontinued if a patient develops tolerance to the anorectant effect; the dose must not be increased beyond the recommended regimen to overcome tolerance.

Population-Specific Use

Lomaira is not recommended for use in pediatric patients 16 years of age or younger. For patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73m^2), a lower maximum daily dosage is required.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Recent Clinical Evidence: Phentermine (Lomaira)

Research has explored the use of phentermine hydrochloride (marketed as Lomaira) as part of a short-term, comprehensive weight management program, which includes reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity. The drug is indicated for use as an appetite suppressant in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, or 27 kg/m² or greater in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol).

Clinical data focuses on the drug's short-term effect on weight reduction in these specific populations. Studies have primarily measured changes in body weight over periods typically ranging from a few weeks up to 12 weeks. Findings were generally compared against placebo groups also following caloric restriction.

Reported Outcomes

Clinical trials have reported statistically significant differences in mean weight loss between participants receiving phentermine and those receiving a placebo. This difference is commonly described as an incremental weight loss when added to diet and exercise changes.

Outcome Measure Trial Observations
Weight Reduction Higher percentage of baseline body weight was reported lost compared to placebo during short-term trials.
Duration of Effect The greatest weight loss was generally observed within the first few weeks of therapy.

Safety Profile Summary

Phentermine is associated with a risk of serious cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. Due to the potential for dependence, the drug is typically recommended for short-term use only. Common side effects reported in trials include an increase in heart rate, elevated blood pressure, dry mouth, and insomnia. A healthcare provider must evaluate individual risks and benefits before starting treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Lomaira (FAQ)

Q: What is Lomaira used for?

Lomaira is a prescription medication indicated as a short-term adjunct (along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise) for weight management in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m^2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m^2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related risk factor, such as controlled high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Its use is generally for a few weeks.

Q: How does Lomaira work?

Lomaira is thought to exert its effect primarily through the central nervous system. Its mechanism involves stimulating the release of norepinephrine and, to a lesser extent, dopamine. This activity is believed to influence areas of the brain that control appetite, potentially resulting in a feeling of reduced hunger.

Q: What is the active ingredient in Lomaira?

The active ingredient in Lomaira is phentermine hydrochloride. Lomaira is a lower-dose formulation of phentermine, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific short-term use.

Q: Is Lomaira the same as other phentermine products?

Lomaira contains the same active ingredient, phentermine, as other products like Adipex-P. However, Lomaira is a lower-dose tablet (8 mg) intended for use up to three times per day, whereas other phentermine products may contain higher doses and have different administration schedules. All are intended for short-term use under medical supervision.

How should Lomaira be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Lomaira

Lomaira tablets must be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, specifically maintained between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). The medication requires storage in a tight, light-resistant container to protect product stability. Storage in non-secure locations is prohibited, and the medication must be kept out of the reach of children.

As Lomaira contains phentermine hydrochloride, a Controlled Substance (CIV), specific handling and security requirements apply. It must be kept in a safe place to prevent theft, accidental overdose, misuse, or abuse. For disposal, patients must follow the specific instructions provided in the Medication Guide or consult the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for proper procedures regarding unused or expired controlled substances.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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