Reductil

What is it?

A 5HT reuptake inhibitor available as capsules in 2 strengths containing sibutramine hydrochloride. Yellow/blue capsules contain 10mg and white/blue capsules contain 15mg. Usedfor: additional therapy with dietary control in obese patients, including those with additional risk factors.

Dosage

Adults, 10mg once each day in the morning to begin with. If patient loses less than 2kg of weight in 4 weeks of treatment, increase to 15mg once each day. Treatment should be discontinued if weight loss is under 5% of starting weight in 3 months or under 5% overall, or if patient regains 3kg in weight. In patients with additional risk factors, treatment should only continue if of proven clinical benefit. The maximum period of treatment is 1 year.

Special Care

Mild to moderate kidney or liver disorders, family history of tics affecting speech or motor function, epilepsy, sleep apnoea syndrome. Blood pressure and pulse rate should be taken every 2 weeks for first 3 months, then every 4 weeks for next 4 to 6 months. Also, monitoring required for pulmonary hypertension.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, heart and circulatory disease, disease of coronary arteries, congestive heart failure, rapid heart beat, cerebrovascular disease, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, physical/organic causes of obesity, heart arrhythmias, peripheral occlusive vascular disease, history of serious eating disorders, glaucoma, high blood pressure which is not controlled, overactive thyroid gland, benign enlargement of prostate gland and urine retention, psychiatric illness, drug or alcohol abuse, phaeochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Other weight loss drugs, drugs that raise heart heat rate or blood pressure, MAOIs, drugs affecting serotonin levels or CYP3A4, antidepressants, tryptophan, anti- psychotics.

Known Side Effects

Nausea, headache, anxiety, sweating, palpitations, dry mouth, constipaption, appetite loss, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, raised blood pressure, dilation of blood vessels, haemorrhoids, sensation of numbness/tingling/'pins and needles', alteration in sense of taste, dizziness.