WASHINGTON - Patients who took a Sanofi-Aventis SA obesity drug in clinical trials were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or actions than others who got a placebo, US drug reviewers said in an analysis released on Monday.

Press release on the first FDA-approved OTC diet drug

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant of the amphetamine and phenethylamine class.It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight in obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise, diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight and works by helping to release certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite.