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Benzphetamine Hydrochloride
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC Directory| Ingredient | Strength | RxCUI | Monograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzphetamine Hydrochloride | 50 mg/1 | 904368 | View |
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Appetite Suppression [PE] | PE | All 14 members |
| Increased Sympathetic Activity [PE] | PE | All 17 members |
| Sympathomimetic Amine Anorectic [EPC] | EPC | All 13 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 090346-001 | BENZPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE | TABLET | BENZPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Prescription | AA |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — no known or suspected bioequivalence problems (conventional dosage forms)
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 2 | Labeling | Approved | January 6, 2021 | Standard |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | December 15, 2015 | — |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260618). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are indicated in the management of exogenous obesity as a short term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher who have not responded to appropriate weight reducing regimen (diet and/or exercise) alone. Below is a chart of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on various heights and weights. BMI is calculated by taking the patient's weight, in kilograms (kg), divided by the patient's height, in meters (m), squared. Metric conversions are as follows: pounds ÷2.2 = kg; inches × 0.0254 = meters. The limited usefulness of agents of this class (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ) should be weighed against possible risks inherent in their use such as those described below. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are indicated for use as monotherapy only. Body Mass Index Chart of Weight versus Height
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosage should be individualized according to the response of the patient. The suggested dosage ranges from 25 to 50 mg one to three times daily. Treatment should begin with 25 to 50 mg once daily with subsequent increase in individual dose or frequency according to response. A single daily dose is preferably given in mid-morning or mid-afternoon, according to the patient's eating habits. In an occasional patient it may be desirable to avoid late afternoon administration. Use of benzphetamine hydrochloride is not recommended in individuals under 17 years of age.
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines, and glaucoma. Benzphetamine should not be given to patients who are in an agitated state or who have a history of drug abuse. Hypertensive crises have resulted when sympathomimetic amines have been used concomitantly or within 14 days following use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets should not be used concomitantly with other CNS stimulants. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Amphetamines have been shown to be teratogenic and embryotoxic in mammals at high multiples of the human dose. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets should not be used in combination with other anorectic agents, including prescribed drugs, over-the-counter preparations and herbal products. In a case-control epidemiological study, the use of anorectic agents was associated with an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, a rare, but often fatal disorder. The use of anorectic agents for longer than three months was associated with a 23-fold increase in the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. Increased risk of pulmonary hypertension with repeated courses of therapy cannot be excluded. It should be noted that benzphetamine was not specifically studied in this case-control study. The onset or aggravation of exertional dyspnea, or unexplained symptoms of angina pectoris, syncope, or lower extremity edema suggest the possibility of occurrence of pulmonary hypertension. Under these circumstances, benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets should be immediately discontinued, and the patient should be evaluated for the possible presence of pulmonary hypertension. Valvular heart disease associated with the use of some anorectic agents such as fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine has been reported. Possible contributing factors include use for extended periods of time, higher than recommended dose, and/or use in combination with other anorectic drugs. However, no cases of this valvulopathy have been reported when benzphetamine has been used alone. The potential risk of possible serious adverse effects such as valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension should be assessed carefully against the potential benefit of weight loss. Baseline cardiac evaluation should be considered to detect pre-existing valvular heart diseases or pulmonary hypertension prior to initiation of benzphetamine treatment. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are not recommended in patients with known heart murmur or valvular heart disease. Echocardiogram during and after treatment could be useful for detecting any valvular disorders which may occur. To limit unwarranted exposure and risks, treatment with benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets should be continued only if the patient has satisfactory weight loss within the first 4 weeks of treatment (i.e., weight loss of at least 4 pounds, or as determined by the physician and patient). When tolerance to the anorectic effect develops, the recommended dose should not be exceeded in an attempt to increase the effect; rather, the drug should be discontinued. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are not recommended for severely hypertensive patients or for patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease including arrhythmias. Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets are not recommended for patients who used any anorectic agents within the prior year.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS The following have been associated with the use of benzphetamine hydrochloride: Cardiovascular Palpitation, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure. There have been isolated reports of cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiac events associated with chronic amphetamine use. Valvular heart disease associated with the use of some anorectic agents such as fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, both independently and especially when used in combination with other anorectic drugs, have been reported. However, no cases of this valvulopathy have been reported when benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets have been used alone. CNS Overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, sweating, headache; rarely, psychotic episodes at recommended doses; depression following withdrawal of the drug. Gastrointestinal Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, nausea, diarrhea, other gastrointestinal disturbances. Allergic Urticaria and other allergic reactions involving the skin. Endocrine Changes in libido.
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions: Efficacy of benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets in combination with other anorectic agents has not been studied and the combined use may have the potential for serious cardiac problems. Hypertensive crises have resulted when sympathomimetic amines have been used concomitantly or within 14 days following use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets should not be used concomitantly with other CNS stimulants. Amphetamines may decrease the hypotensive effect of antihypertensives. Amphetamines may enhance the effects of tricyclic antidepressants. Urinary alkalinizing agents increase blood levels and decrease excretion of amphetamines. Urinary acidifying agents decrease blood levels and increase excretion of amphetamines.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets contain the anorectic agent benzphetamine hydrochloride. Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder readily soluble in water and 95% ethanol. The chemical name for benzphetamine hydrochloride is d -N, α-Dimethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-benzeneethanamine hydrochloride and its molecular weight is 275.82. The structural formula (dextro form) is represented below: Each film-coated tablet, for oral administration, contains 50 mg of benzphetamine hydrochloride. In addition, each film-coated tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, carnauba wax, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol/macrogol, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide. Structural Formula for Benzphetamine Hydrochloride
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Manifestations of Overdosage: Acute overdosage with amphetamines may result in restlessness, tremor, tachypnea, confusion, assaultiveness and panic states. Fatigue and depression usually follow the central stimulation. Cardiovascular effects include arrhythmias, hypertension or hypotension, and circulatory collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Hyperpyrexia and rhabdomyolysis have been reported and can lead to a number of associated complications. Fatal poisoning is usually preceded by convulsions and coma. Treatment of Overdosage: (See WARNINGS )— Information concerning the effects of overdosage with benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets is extremely limited. The following is based on experience with other anorexiants. Management of acute amphetamine intoxication is largely symptomatic and includes sedation with a barbiturate. If hypertension is marked, the use of a nitrite or rapidly acting alpha receptor blocking agent should be considered. Experience with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is inadequate to permit recommendations in this regard. Acidification of the urine increases amphetamine excretion. The oral LD 50 is 174 mg/kg in mice and 104 mg/kg in rats. The intraperitoneal LD 50 in mice is 153 mg/kg.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Benzphetamine Hydrochloride Tablets, 50 mg are round biconvex, pink film-coated tablets, debossed with "Є" to the left side of bisect, and “81” to the right of bisect on one side, plain on the other side. They are available in bottles of: 30 NDC 42806-081-30 100 NDC 42806-081-01 500 NDC 42806-081-05 Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F). [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required). Manufactured by: Epic Pharma, LLC Laurelton, NY 11413 Manufactured in USA Rev. 06-2023-00 MF081REV06/23 OE1322
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: BENZPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42806-081-01 | 42806-081 | Epic Pharma, LLC | 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-081-01) | December 16, 2015 |
| 42806-081-05 | 42806-081 | Epic Pharma, LLC | 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-081-05) | December 16, 2015 |
| 42806-081-30 | 42806-081 | Epic Pharma, LLC | 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-081-30) | December 16, 2015 |
| 23155-952-01 | 23155-952 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (23155-952-01) | June 19, 2026 |
| 23155-952-03 | 23155-952 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (23155-952-03) | June 19, 2026 |
| 23155-952-05 | 23155-952 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (23155-952-05) | June 19, 2026 |
| 42806-081 | 42806-081 | Epic Pharma, LLC | — | December 16, 2015 |
| 23155-952 | 23155-952 | Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. | — | June 19, 2026 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.