Adipex is also known as phentermine. It is a prescription drug that is commonly used to support people in their weight loss journey.
It is particularly used by people living with obesity or other weight-related health conditions. It is a type of stimulant and works by suppressing your appetite and helping to reduce your calorie intake.
Although Adipex can be effective when it is used under medical supervision, many people still have questions about how long it remains in the body for.
Whether you are preparing for a drug test, concerned about the side effects of Adipex or are worried about your addiction to Apipex, it is important to understand how the body processes this medication.
At OK Rehab, our team of specialists regularly speak with people who have developed unhealthy relationships with prescription medications, including Adipex.
Whilst Adipex is only ever intended for short-term use, abuse will likely increase the risk of an addiction, as well as withdrawal symptoms and the need for professional detox and rehab treatment.
In this blog, we will explain how long Adipex stays in your system for, the factors that impact this, as well as the potential signs of abuse and when it may be time to seek professional help.
What Is Adipex?
Adipex is a brand name for phentermine, which is a prescription drug and stimulant that belongs to a class of medications known as anorectics.
Doctors and medical professionals tend to prescribe Adipex to individuals who suffer from high body mass index (BMI) and who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone [1].
This medication works by stimulating the body’s central nervous system and increasing the release of neurotransmitters. Over time, this will reduce feelings of hunger and will naturally make it easier to manage your diet [1].
Because Adipex affects your brain chemistry in a similar way to some addictive stimulant substances, there is always the potential for misuse and an addiction to occur.
For this reason, doctors and healthcare professionals generally prescribe Adipex for short periods of time and monitor people carefully throughout their treatment [1].
How Long Does Adipex Stay in Your System For?
The amount of time Adipex remains in your body for depends on a number of different factors, including your metabolism, your age, how much you have consumed and the state of your overall health [2].
This type of substance generally has a half-life of approximately 19 to 24 hours. This means that it will take this long for half of the substance to be removed from the body []2.
Most other addictive substances require around five half-lives to be eliminated almost completely from the body.
Adipex can remain in the body for approximately four to six days after the last dose.
However, it is important to understand that detection times vary depending on the type of drug test being used. Some of these different drug tests are listed and explained below in this article.
Factors That Impact How Long Adipex Remains in the Body
There are a number of factors that impact how long Adipex stays in the body for.
In fact, it is important to understand that no two people process medication in exactly the same way, especially when it comes to stimulants such as Adipex.
There are a number of factors and variables that will influence how quickly Adipex leaves the body’s system, some of which are listed below for you:
1. Age
As most people age, their metabolic processes slow down. Older adults tend to take longer than younger people to eliminate this substance from their body.
2. Kidney Function
It is also important to understand that a significant amount of Adipex leaves the body through your urine. Unfortunately, people with issues with their kidney function will process the medication more slowly than others.
3. How Much You Consume
The more you consume, the longer any addictive substance will stay in the body.
In fact, higher doses generally remain detectable for significantly longer when it comes to Adipex. Individuals taking larger amounts of Adipex will likely find that traces of the substance stay in their bodies beyond the average timeframe.
4. How Often You Consume It
How often you consume Adipex will also determine how your body processes it. For example, someone who has taken a single dose will likely clear the medication more quickly than a person who has used Adipex daily for a number of weeks or even months.
5. Body Composition
Your weight, body fat percentage, hydration levels and physical activity will all influence how your body metabolises addictive substances such as Adipex.
How Long Does Adipex Stay in Your Urine?
Lots of people get tested for Adipex through a urine test. In fact, urine testing is one of the most common methods used to detect any prescription or recreational substances.
For most people, Adipex can be found in your urine for approximately 48 to 72 hours after the final dose.
However, it is important to understand that some individuals are likely to continue to test positive for Adipex for up to four or five days after they first consume it.
People who take higher doses of Adipex, use the medication frequently, or have slower metabolisms are likely to experience longer detection periods if they are tested via urine.
It is important to understand that urine testing is widely used in employment screenings and medical assessments, which is why you should avoid abusing Adipex.
How Long Does Adipex Stay in Your Blood?
Blood tests are generally used to identify recent use, rather than long term abuse of Adipex or other addictive substances.
In most cases, this substance remains detectable in the blood for around 24 hours after consuming it, although this can differ between people.
Blood testing involves a relatively short detection window, meaning that it is less commonly used for routine drug screening in the workplace compared to urine testing, which is used more commonly.
How Long Does Adipex Stay in Your Saliva?
Recently, saliva testing has become increasingly more common due to its convenience and non-invasive nature, also meaning that more people agree to it.
The research suggests that Adipex can be detected in your saliva for anywhere between 24 and 48 hours after last taking the addictive substance.
This method is now often used in workplace testing and roadside screening by the police.
How Long Does Adipex Stay in Your Hair?
Hair follicle testing is also more popular than it once was, and it provides the longest detection window of all the different drug and alcohol testing methods.
Although Adipex itself leaves the bloodstream within just days, traces become embedded within hair strands as they grow.
As a result of this, hair tests are able to identify whether or not Adipex has been consumed for up to 90 days after the last dose.
However, it is important to understand that hair testing is generally expensive and complex to complete, meaning that only certain organisations are able to afford this method of testing.
How Long Do the Effects of Adipex Last?
Most people presume that if they can no longer feel the side effects of a medication, then it has left their body completely. However, this is simply not the case.
Even after the side effects of taking Adipex have worn off, the body continues to process and eliminate the addictive substance from the body.
As a result of this, Adipex will still be detectable for days or even weeks after the effects have stopped.
Can Adipex Cause an Addiction?
Yes, it is important to understand that you can become addicted to Adipex if you consume it too much. Although Adipex is prescribed legally, it still carries a risk of addiction if you abuse it [3].
This is because Adipex stimulates the central nervous system and can produce feelings of increased energy and motivation.
Some individuals will begin taking higher doses than prescribed in an attempt to enhance these effects, which is when they become at risk of developing an addiction.
Over time, your tolerance will increase, meaning that larger amounts of the addictive substance will be required to achieve the same results. As your tolerance increases, the likelihood of addiction also rises.
Unfortunately, many people do not realise a problem with addiction has developed until they experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop.
Signs Of an Adipex Addiction
There are a number of signs that someone has become addicted to Adipex. In fact, recognising the warning signs early can prevent more serious health complications later down the line.
There are a number of common signs and symptoms that someone is suffering from an addiction, including some of those listed below.
- Taking larger doses than recommended or prescribed
- Using Adipex more frequently than you are told to
- Visiting numerous different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions
- Feeling unable to function without consuming the substance
- Experiencing intense cravings
- Continuing to abuse the addictive substance despite negative consequences
- Neglecting your work or home life and responsibilities due to your use
If these behaviours are present, then you will need to attend professional addiction treatment in order to recover from your addiction.
Adipex Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone has been taking Adipex for an extended period of time, stopping suddenly can trigger a number of different withdrawal symptoms.
The severity of these withdrawal symptoms depends on a number of factors such as how much you take, how long you take it for and your overall physical health.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep issues
- A total lack of motivation
For some people, these symptoms will only get worse without professional detox treatment, which is why many individuals undergo a medical detox in order to withdraw and rid the addictive substance from their body.
Can You Speed Up the Elimination of Adipex?
People often search for ways to remove Adipex from their bodies more quickly. Unfortunately, there is no proven method to instantly rid the medication from your system.
The safest approach is to allow the body to process the drug naturally, in its own time.
This is why maintaining good hydration, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and following medical advice is so important, as these will help the body to recover.
Conclusion
For most people, Adipex stays in their body for anywhere between four to six days, although detection windows do tend to vary depending on the type of test that is being used.
Urine tests typically detect Adipex for up to several days, whereas blood tests detect if for around 24 hours.
The most popular of all tests, Saliva tests for up to 48 hours and hair tests for as long as 90 days after last consuming it.
Whilst many people use Adipex safely under strict medical supervision, abuse over time can lead to an addiction where you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms and the need for professional detox and rehab treatment.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction to Adipex or other addictive substances, then speaking to a treatment specialist, like the team at OK Rehab, could change your life for the better.
References
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12973477/
