Use of Meridia Drug to Reduce Hunger
& Weight
Sibutramine Weight Loss Pills
Sibutramine (trade name Meridia) is one
of the latest generation of weight loss drugs and is designed to help
people who are obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 +) lose weight. In some
circumstances, it may be prescribed for people with BMIs of 27-30 when
they have other conditions (such as diabetes or sleep apnea) that are
aggravated by being overweight. Like all weight loss pills, Sibutramine
is designed to be used in combination with a sensible calorie-controlled
weight-loss diet and a regular program of physical exercise.
How Does Sibutramine Work?
Sibutramine weight loss pills act on serotonin
levels in the brain to reduce hunger and provide a feeling of fullness.
Dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenfluramine (part of fen-phen), the two medications
that were taken off the market in 1997, also affected serotonin levels.
However, Sibutramine affects serotonin
levels in a different way than these earlier weight loss drugs. Clinical
trials of Sibutramine have not detected
an increase in heart or lung problems (which were seen with dexphenfluramine
and fenfluramine).
Are Sibutramine Weight Loss Pills Effective?
- In one weight loss study, after 24 weeks,
Sibutramine reduced weight by 11.6 lb (5.3 kg) compared to 1.9 lb (0.9
kg) in those taking no medication.
- In two studies, after 12 months, Sibutramine
reduced weight by 9.7 lb (4.4 kg) or 11.4 lb (5.2 kg) compared to 3.5
lb (1.6 kg) in those taking no medication.
- In three studies, up to 25 percent of
lost weight was regained within 1 to 6 weeks of stopping medication.
- In one study, up to 80 percent of lost
weight was regained within 3 months of stopping medication.
- According to one study, obese people
using Sibutramine lost about 17.2 lb (7.8 kg) in 48 weeks, compared
to a loss of 8.3 lb (3.8 kg) in those not taking the medication.
Side Effects of Sibutramine Weight Loss
Pills
Increased Blood Pressure
In most people, the increase is small enough not to be a cause for concern.
In others, however, the increase may be large enough to reconsider use
of the medication. Also, as you lose weight your blood pressure may come
down.
Because sibutramine can raise blood pressure,
people who take it should have regular blood pressure checks. People with
uncontrolled high blood pressure should not take sibutramine. It is worth
noting, however, that weight loss tends to lower blood pressure, so any
increase in blood pressure caused by Sibutramine may be counter-balanced
by a subsequent reduction.
Other Side Effects of Sibutramine Weight
Loss Pills
- Increased Pulse (heart rate)
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Sleep problems
Sibutramine Weight Loss Pills - Long Term
Usage
Sibutramine is one of the few weight loss
drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term
use (12 months +). Despite this, Sibutramine's safety and effectiveness
after 1 year of use are not known. It is currently under investigation
in Europe for causing side effects such as high blood pressure and a rapid
heart rate, and death.
Taking Sibutramine weight loss pills does
not guarantee that you will lose weight. According to weight loss studies,
about 10 percent of those who use Sibutramine do not lose weight while
taking the medication.
If you have not lost about 4 lb (1.81
kg) within the first month of treatment, Sibutramine may not be an effective
weight loss drug for you.
Sources include:
Arterburn D, Noel PH (2001). Obesity. Clinical
Evidence, 6: 463–470.
Wirth A, Krause J (2001). Long-term weight loss with sibutramine. JAMA,
286(11): 1331–1339.
Lean MEJ (1997). Sibutramine: A review of clinical efficacy. International
Journal of Obesity, 21: S30–S36.
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