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Dr. Carson Liu

Dr. Carson Liu is a general surgeon and weight-loss specialist in Southern California. He works with his patients on long-term weight-management plans that include diet, exercise, weight-loss medications and surgery.

Dr. Liu says that for many patients, diet and exercise alone are not enough to reach their weight-loss goal and for some of his patients with obesity, exercise can be difficult to initiate.

“I use prescription medications that are FDA-approved for short- and long-term use, including Lomaira”, says Dr. Liu. “I prescribe Lomaira because patients can take a dose before lunch and dinner, which has helped patients who have breakthrough hunger in the afternoon and evenings. For my post-surgery patients who reach a plateau or experience weight regain, I prescribe Lomaira before a meal when they feel they may be slipping.”

Dr. Liu says that drug cost is a huge factor for his patients. “I like Lomaira mainly because it's [the] lowest drug cost of all my appetite suppressants that I offer. We offer about four FDA-approved drugs and a lot of people love the drugs, but some of them are so expensive they can't afford it,” states Dr. Liu.

Dr. Liu includes maintenance and preventative care as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. “I feel that Lomaira is an important instrument in my toolbox”, says Dr. Liu. “I look forward to having people come in and whether I give them an endoscopic balloon or a surgical procedure, I love the fact that I have Lomaira as a back-up plan or in conjunction to achieve the weight loss and to keep the weight loss going. I like Lomaira mainly because of the cost and the fact that there’s minimal side effects, and mainly because it works.”

Individual results may vary.

INDICATION
Lomaira™ (phentermine hydrochloride USP) 8 mg tablets, CIV is a prescription medicine used for a short period of time (a few weeks) for weight reduction and should be used together with regular exercise and a reduced-calorie diet. Lomaira is for adults with an initial BMI* of 30 or more (obese) or 27 or more (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical condition such as controlled high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. The limited usefulness of this drug class (anorectics), including Lomaira, should be measured against possible risk factors inherent in their use.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Don’t take Lomaira™ if you have a history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure or uncontrolled high blood pressure); are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor drug (MAOI) within the past 14 days; have overactive thyroid, glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes), agitation or a history of drug abuse; are pregnant, nursing, or allergic to the sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine or any of the ingredients in Lomaira.

Taking phentermine with other drugs for weight loss is not recommended. Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare fatal lung disease, has been reported in patients who had taken a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss. The possible association between phentermine use alone and PPH cannot be ruled out. Patients should report immediately if they experience any decrease in the amount of exercise that they can normally tolerate, shortness of breath, chest or heart pain, fainting or swelling in the lower legs.

Serious heart valve problems or disease have been reported in patients taking a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss. The possible role of phentermine has not been established, therefore the possibility of an association between heart valve disease and the use of phentermine alone cannot be ruled out.

If your body becomes adjusted to the maximum dose of phentermine so that its effects are experienced less strongly, the maximum dose should not be exceeded in an attempt to increase the effect.

Caution is advised when engaging in potentially hazardous activity such as driving or operating machinery while taking phentermine. Phentermine has the potential to be abused. Keep Lomaira in a safe place to prevent theft, accidental overdose, misuse or abuse. Using alcohol with phentermine may result in an adverse drug reaction.

Phentermine can cause an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, even if it’s mild. If you are taking medicines for type 2 diabetes, your doctor may have to adjust these medicines while taking phentermine.

Some side effects of phentermine that have been reported include pulmonary hypertension, valvular heart disease, palpitations, increased heart rate or blood pressure, insomnia, restlessness, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation and changes in sexual drive. These are not all of the potential side effects of phentermine. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

To report negative side effects of prescription drugs, contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.

*Body Mass Index (BMI) measures the amount of fat in the body based on height and weight. BMI is measured in kg/m2.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Don’t take Lomaira™ if you have a history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure or uncontrolled high blood pressure); are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor drug (MAOI) within the past 14 days; have overactive thyroid, glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes), agitation or a history of drug abuse; are pregnant, nursing, or allergic to the sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine or any of the ingredients in Lomaira.