Reductil

What is Reductil?

Reductil is a weight-control medicine that acts as an appetite suppressant helping you maintain a lower calorie diet.

Reductil works to help you lose weight by making you feel satisfied after eating less food. If you take in fewer calories your body is forced to utilise the store of fat in your body causing you to lose weight.

Reductil is most effective when used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and moderate exercise. It can take up to six weeks to notice a difference in your weight.

Who should take Reductil?

Reductil is recommended for overweight people with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or for overweight people with a BMI of 27 or higher if they have other medical risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How and when should I take Reductil?

Take one (1) Reductil capsule a day. You can take Reductil on an empty stomach or after a meal.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose of Reductil, do not take an extra capsule to "make up" for the dose you forgot.

How long should I take Reductil?

The safety and effectiveness of Reductil have not been determined beyond one (1) year.

What medicines can cause problems if taken at the same time as Reductil?

You cannot take Reductil if you are taking prescription medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

It is especially important to make sure you tell your doctor if you are taking MAOIs that are sometimes used to treat depression or Parkinson's disease. Serious, sometimes even fatal, reactions can occur if Reductil is taken at the same time MAOIs are taken.

If you are currently taking an MAOI, your doctor will want you to stop taking it for at least two (2) full weeks before starting you on Reductil.

If you are currently taking Reductil, your doctor will want you to stop taking it for at least two (2) full weeks before starting you on an MAOI.

Reductil should not be taken if you are taking other weight loss medications that act on the brain (for example: phentermine). This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbal products.

In addition to the above, a rare, but serious medical syndrome called the "serotonin syndrome" has been reported in patients when medications like Reductil are taken along with other drugs that may alter serotonin activity such as: drugs for depression, certain pain medications, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan found in many cough medicines, lithium, and the amino acid tryptophan. The syndrome requires immediate medical attention and may include one or more of the following symptoms: restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, anxiety, agitation, weakness, tremor, lack of coordination, fever, shivering, sweating, vomiting and increased heart rate.

The effects of Reductil may be inhibited by ketoconazole (an anti-fungal medicine) and to a lesser degree erythromycin (an antibiotic medicine). You need to make sure your healthcare provider knows you are taking these medicines before you take Reductil.

Many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, as well as certain allergy products and decongestants, contain medicines such as phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine that may increase blood pressure or heart rate. Before taking these medications on your own, you should check with your healthcare provider to make sure it is safe to take these medicines if you are already taking Reductil.

Can I take Reductil with nutritional supplements?

Food supplements, like vitamins, minerals and amino acids (with the exception of tryptophan) can be used along with Reductil. You should not use herbal or over-the-counter weight loss products while taking Reductil.

What about drinking alcoholic beverages?

Reductil may increase the sedative effects of alcohol.

What about drinking coffee, tea and caffeinated beverages?

Reductil can be safely taken with moderate use of coffee, tea or caffeinated beverages.

Can Reductil affect blood pressure or heart rate?

Yes -- Reductil CAN CAUSE INCREASES IN BLOOD PRESSURE IN SOME PATIENTS. On average, small increases in blood pressure and small increases in heart rate were seen in overweight people who took Reductil in scientifically controlled studies. Reductil SHOULD NOT be taken by people who have uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure.

What if I develop allergic reactions?

Stop taking Reductil and notify your healthcare provider immediately if you develop a skin rash, hives or other allergic reactions.

Who should not take Reductil?

Reductil should not be taken by people who:

• HAVE UNCONTROLLED OR POORLY CONTROLLED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BECAUSE Reductil SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE IN SOME PATIENTS.

• Are taking prescription medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, Parkinson's disease, or any other disorder.

• Are taking other weight loss medications that act on the brain (for example: phentermine). This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbal products.

• Have had prior allergic reactions to Reductil or sibutramine.

• Have a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and/or who have angina pectoris (heart-related chest pain).

• Have arrhythmias (irregular heart beats).

• Have had a prior heart attack.

• Have a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

• Have severe liver or kidney disease.

• Have had a stroke or symptoms of a stroke.

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

• Are breast-feeding their infants.

• Are suffering from anorexia nervosa.

• Are taking prescription medications for depression.

• Have had seizures (epilepsy or convulsions).

• Have an eye disorder called narrow angle glaucoma.

• Are under 16 years of age.

• Are taking other medications that regulate the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain (for example: Prozac and related medicines.

If you have any concerns or questions about whether or not you should take Reductil , talk to your healthcare provider.

IMPORTANT: It is very important that you make sure that your healthcare provider knows what medications you take and what medical conditions and allergies you have.

What if I am pregnant or nursing?

Reductil should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. You should notify your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

What about sexual activity and potential pregnancy?

Women of childbearing potential should use an effective birth control method while taking Reductil. Check with your doctor to make sure you are on a medically safe and effective birth control method while taking Reductil.

Does Reductil affect the effectiveness of birth control pills?

No.

What about driving a car or dangerous work activities?

Reductil was studied in healthy people and did not affect their coordination or impair their judgement. However, Reductil has the potential to impair judgement, thinking, coordination or motor skills.

Is Reductil a controlled substance?

Yes, Reductil is a controlled substance.

What weight losses have been observed with Reductil?

Patients treated with Reductil while on a reduced calorie diet showed a significant weight loss during the first 6 months of treatment, and significant weight loss was maintained for one year. In one 12-month study, the average weight loss in patients taking Reductil 10 mg daily, was 10 lbs. and in those taking 15 mg daily was about 14 lbs. The average weight loss in persons on only a reduced calorie diet was 3 1/2 lbs.

What are some of the more common side effects of Reductil?

In studies the most common side effects were: dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia (inability to fall asleep). Other side effects that may occur include: headache, increased sweating, an increase in blood pressure, and an increase in heart rate. These side effects are generally mild, and have usually not caused people to stop taking Reductil. If you develop a symptom that you think might be a side effect, stop taking Reductil and notify your healthcare provider immediately so you can be advised on what to do. These symptoms include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, chest pain, angina, rapid heart beats over 100 beats a minute, pounding or irregular heart beats, restlessness, lightheadedness, blackout spells, disorientation, depression, mental confusion, anxiety, nervousness, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, muscle stiffness or muscle rigidity, high fever, pain in the eyes, dilated pupils, shivering, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.

Are there any severe side effects?

Some weight loss drugs have been associated with cardiac valve dysfunction (heart valve disease). In a study, patients who had received either Reductil or placebo (sugar pills) for periods of two weeks to 16 months were examined. Three out of 132 patients who had taken Reductil and two out of 77 patients who had taken the placebo were found to have heart valve disease.