Fastin -
Fastin is an appetite suppressant and central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that also causes mild thermogenesis by stimulating systemic noradrenaline. This drug was very popular with bodybuilders in years past. All versions of Fastin are supposed to be timed-release, but the trade name and the generics seem to have different results. "Real" Fastin works gradually and evenly. All of the generics I tried peaked quickly and didn't last as long. You can feel the effects of Fastin for 8 to 10 hours; the generics only last for 6 hours.
Like all CNS stimulants, Fastin reduces fatigue, which can lead to overtraining. Cessation of use causes mental and physical depression. Recently, scientists have become interested in Fastin as an under-prescribed drug for the obese.
Ionamin -
Ionamin is the other appetite suppressant in the phentermine family. While Fastin has been the diet pill of choice for bodybuilders in America, Ionamin is the anorectic most often used by European athletes. Most athletes prefer the 30 mg size,called "forte" (strong) in Europe. Ionamin is supposed to be milder and work longer than Fastin. However, most athletes familiar with both say that Fastin has a harder and longer "kick" and Ionamin has a gentler and shorter activity. Some people who get too jittery on Fastin can tolerate Ionamin better. Ionamin has the usual side effects and dependency problems of prescription anorectics.
Pondimin -
I usually don't comment positively on diet pills. Even the milder ones mask fatigue too well and lead unwary athletes into overtraining. In addition, athletes who use caffeine, ephedrine and clenbuterol don't need another upper thrown into the mix. However, Pondimin is so different and fills a need so well that I think it's a worthwhile dieting drug. Pondimin is an appetite suppressant that is not a stimulant. In fact, it has a slight depressive effect. Many dieters control appetite during the day with ephedrine and clenbuterol, but you can't use stimulants at night. Pondimin is perfect for night use because it significantly dulls your appetite while allowing you to sleep. Because Pondimin does not cause euphoria, the potential for abuse is quite low. I have tried both tablets and the capsules, and I prefer the capsules.
Pondimin (fenfluramine) is available in America in 20 mg tablets, and in 75 mg capsules and a transdermal patch in Europe. Pondimin is unique because it is not a central nervous system stimulant. All of the other appetite suppressants try to mimic the action of amphetamine.
Daytime appetite is usually not the problem. By keeping busy and using thermogenic drugs like ephedrine and clenbuterol, appetite is reasonably controlled during the day. Because you must time the dosages of thermogenic drugs to wear off by evening (so you can sleep), they can't help you at night.
The elegance of Pondimin is that it is a central nervous system depressant. Pondimin will not keep you awake at night quite the opposite. In addition, research has not shown it to have the dependence hazards of the other anorectics. Most American bodybuilders don't use Pondimin while dieting because they are unfamiliar with its unique properties and American MDs are usually hesitant to prescribe such a drug to an obviously non-overweight person. In Europe, the capsules are extremely popular, used at night after taking thermogenic drugs during the day.
I don't have as many nice things to say about the other anorectics. All of the other prescription anorectics are derivatives
of the "gold standard" of the anorectics, amphetamine, which is a popular street drug. Amphetamine is still an FDA approved
drug, but is quite restricted because it's Schedule II. All of the lesser anorectics try to generate the same appetite suppression
without the extreme side effects of amphetamine.
The problem with these stimulants is that you are so, well, stimulated - euphoric, energetic and without fatigue. People don't use them infrequently as they should, but constantly, until they are physically and mentally exhausted. When you stop using these anorectics, you crash, becoming overwhelmingly tired, lethargic and depressed. You feel like a zombie for at least 2 weeks, and frequently more.
These dramatic side effects are not a mystery, but are certainly hard to control. Even the most educated, savvy and rational athlete will overtrain while on these diet drugs. If you are using them with ephedrine and clenbuterol, the hazards of elevated blood pressure and heart rate are compounded.
That's more or less his chapter on Phenthermine and related stuff.
