Sibutramine

About sibutramine

Sibutramine works by making you feel full-up from eating less food than you would do normally. Eating less, combined with a healthy diet and active lifestyle should lead to weight loss.

Before taking sibutramine

Before taking sibutramine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you suffer from heart, liver, kidney, thyroid or prostate problems.
• If you suffer from epilepsy.
• If you suffer from blood clotting problems.
• If you suffer from sleep apnoea (stopping breathing momentarily during sleep).
• If you or any one in your family has ever suffered from tics (uncontrollable movements of the body or uncontrollable sudden outbursts of speech, such as in Tourette’s syndrome).
• If you have ever suffered from an eating disorder or have ever had a problem with misusing alcohol or drugs.
• If you have ever suffered from mental health problems such as manic depression (bipolar disorder) or depression.
• If you suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), phaeochromocytoma (a growth affecting the adrenal glands) or glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
  
  
• Sibutramine is not recommended in children or someone who is over 65 years of age.

How to take sibutramine

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Swallow the capsule whole with a small glass of water in the morning.
• Try to take sibutramine at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take a day's dose don't worry, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• Keep your regular doctor's appointments so your progress can be monitored. You will need to have your weight and blood pressure checked regularly while you are taking sibutramine.
• It is important that you follow a nutritionally balanced and low calorie diet. Your doctor will be able to advise you about what type of diet you should be following.
• Sibutramine should be taken for no longer than one year. The idea of sibutramine is to help you change your habits with regards to eating and exercise. It is important to continue a healthy lifestyle when your treatment with sibutramine is finished to prevent you putting the weight back on that you have successfully lost.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with sibutramine.

Can sibutramine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

How to store sibutramine

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines