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Sibutramine

You may know it better as Meridia or Reductil. It is among the most commonly prescribed weight loss medications on the market. Like other prescription obesity drugs, sibutramine is usually prescribed only when patients have a BMI of 30 or higher, or experience severe obesity symptoms.

How it works

Sibutramine is actually a close cousin of antidepressant drugs and mood disorder medications, because it acts upon the brain’s neurotransmitters, particularly inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. What that means, in commonspeak, is that taking sibutramine makes you feel full. It is an appetite-altering drug, inducing a feeling of satiety when you would normally feel hungry. Generally, patients take it after breakfast in a small capsule form.

Effectiveness

With proper exercise and nutrition, patients who take sibutramine experience a 5-10% weight reduction. Most weight loss takes place in the first few months of taking the drug. Studies indicate that the higher the dosage (e.g., 15mg), the more effective in weight loss. Despite some amazing success stories, the overall effectiveness of sibutramine is considered modest.

Side effects

Although no long-term studies are available yet, sibutramine has been blamed for mostly cardiovascular discomfort, including increased heart rate and arrhythmia. Other patients experience dryness of the mouth, headache, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, aching joints, muscle pain, confusion, depression, and a medley of gastrointestinal problems.

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