Reductil, generic name Sibutramine, is prescribed for the treatment of obesity. It functions as an appetite suppressant. Developed by Knoll laboratories, it became a part of the portfolio of Abbott laboratories when the company absorbed Knoll laboratories. In countries like the US, Reductil, known as Meridia, is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The reason could be its use as an anorectic.
About Reductil
Reductil is an orally administered drug, available in capsule form. Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate is the primary component of Reductil, and it affects the working of the neurotransmitters in the brain.
A neurotransmitter is a natural body chemical. It is located in the nerve cells and its function is to transmit messages between nerve cells. Neurotransmitters are released from nerve cells as soon as a message transmission takes place. After the transmission, the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed by the nerve cells. However, two neurotransmitters, namely serotonin and noradrenaline, are prevented from being reabsorbed by Sibutramine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for moderating the mood of a person, as well as, various other psychological processes. The fact that they are not reabsorbed by the nerve cells means that they are free to act in the brain. It is their action, which results in a feeling of satisfaction in terms of eating. What this means is that, even if a person eats less food he/she still feels content. In medical parlance Reductil is known as the ‘satiety enhancer’.
The intake of Reductil, however, must not be at the cost of a strict exercise regimen and a healthy diet program.
Side Effects of Reductil
There are some common side effects of Reductil. Some of these side effects include, a dry mouth, constipation, flushing, pain in the joints and muscles, dizziness, insomnia, headache, drowsiness, and headache. Ironically, one of the symptomatic side effects is an increase of the appetite.
There may also be a slight increase in the pulse rate of patients on Reductil as well as the blood pressure. Therefore, patients who have been prescribed Sibutramine (Reductil) need to monitor their blood pressure regularly. One of the less frequent, but serious, side effects of this medication includes a tingling or pricking sensation of the skin. This condition is known as Paresthesia. Other serious symptoms include cardiac arrhythmias and mood changes in a person. The mood changes could include depression, restlessness.
There are other side effects that are of even more of a concern and which require immediate medical help. These include seizures, abnormal bleeding, fever, chest pain, edema, jaundice, black feces or melena, and vomiting of blood or hematemesis.
Reductil – Dosages
Reductil is available in two dosages, a blue/yellow 10mg capsule and a blue/white 15mg capsule. Reductil tablets can be taken with or without food. Typically, a doctor will prescribe a 10mg dosage to be taken daily, usually in the morning. In case this dosage is not effective, after a month or so, the doctor could increase the dosage to 15mg daily. This is provided that patients could tolerate and suffered no side effects from the 10mg dosage. The effectiveness of the dosage is measured in terms of the weight loss. If a person loses around 2 kg of weight, the dosage is considered to be effective.
In spite of the increased dosage, if the patient’s weight refuses to reduce after a further 4 weeks have elapsed; the use of Reductil must be discontinued. After taking Reductil for 3 months, if a person has not lost 5% or more weight, than its use must be stopped. On the other hand if a person loses this weight, but gains around 3 kg again, the use must still be discontinued.
It’s important that one must stop using Reductil after a year.
John is one of the good article writers having much experience in writing health articles. He has written many articles on Slimming Pills like Reductil and Xenical for obesity treatment.
Article Source: Reductil – The Proven Solution for Weight Loss
