How does it work?
Reductil or Meridia capsules contain the active ingredient sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate, which is a type of anti-obesity medicine. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that are stored in nerve cells and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. They are released from nerve cells as a message is transmitted. Once the message has been transmitted, the nerve cells then reabsorb the neurotransmitter.
Sibutramine prevents two of these neurotransmitters, noradrenaline and serotonin, from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells. Noradrenaline and serotonin are responsible for moderating mood and various other processes in the brain.
It is thought that sibutramine helps people to lose weight by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin free to act in the brain. This enhances the feeling of fulfillment from eating, and so makes you feel satisfied after eating less food.
You will need to continue with an appropriate diet and exercise programme while taking this medicine, so that you are able to maintain your new weight after you have stopped treatment. Your doctor should give you advice to assist you with this.
What is it used for?
Reductil is only licensed to aid weight loss in people with a BMI (Body Mass Index)of 30 or higher, and people with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have other obesity related risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. It is only prescribed to people in these categories who have had difficulty achieving or maintaining weight loss of more than five per cent of their body weight over three months, using conventional weight loss programmes alone (eg diet and exercise).
Warning!
- Sibutramine capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink in the morning. They can be taken with or without food.
- This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
- You should change your lifestyle in terms of eating habits and physical activity while taking this medicine, so that you are able to maintain your new weight after you have stopped treatment. Your doctor should advise you on the changes you need to make and continue to monitor your weight after you stop treatment. If you don't change your lifestyle you may regain the weight you have lost.
- Your weight should be monitored while you are taking this medicine. If you are not responding adequately to this medicine, ie if you have not lost at least five per cent of your body weight within three months, or if you put on more than 3kg at any stage after previously losing weight, you will need to stop taking this medicine. This medicine should not be taken for longer than one year.
- Your blood pressure and pulse rate should be monitored while you are taking this medication; every two weeks for the first three months, then once a month for the next three months, then regularly at maximum intervals of three months after that. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine if your blood pressure or pulse rate increase too much.
- Consult your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or ankle swelling while taking this medicine.
- If you experience any mood changes, depression, or distressing thoughts or feelings while taking this medicine then it is very important to talk to your doctor.
- This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Women who could get pregnant should use a reliable method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.
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