- 1. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- 2. Depression and anxiety
- 3. Return to previous weight
- When to stop using sibutramine
- Who should not use
- How to take sibutramine safely
Sibutramine is a remedy indicated to aid weight loss in people with a body mass index greater than 30 kg / m2, after a rigorous evaluation by the doctor. However, because it has effects in reducing weight, it is used indiscriminately, and many adverse effects have been reported, namely at the cardiac level, which has led to the suspension of its commercialization in Europe and to a greater control of prescriptions in Brazil.
Thus, this medication should only be used with medical advice, since its side effects can be serious and do not offset its weight loss benefit. In addition, some studies indicate that, when discontinuing medication, patients return to their previous weight with great ease and sometimes gain more weight, exceeding their previous weight.
The most serious side effects that can occur while using sibutramine are:
1. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Sibutramine is a drug that increases the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest and cardiovascular death, as it has side effects of increased blood pressure and changes in heart rate.
2. Depression and anxiety
In some cases, the use of sibutramine is also associated with the development of depression, psychosis, anxiety and mania, including suicide attempts.
3. Return to previous weight
Some studies indicate that, when discontinuing medication, many of the patients return to their previous weight with great ease and sometimes get even more fat, being able to exceed the weight they had before taking sibutramine.
Other side effects that can be caused by this remedy are constipation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, increased sweating and changes in taste.
When to stop using sibutramine
Even if your doctor recommends sibutramine for weight loss, this medication should be discontinued if it occurs:
- Changes in heart rate or clinically relevant increases in blood pressure; Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, mania or suicide attempt; Loss of body mass less than 2 kg after 4 weeks of treatment with the highest dose; Loss of mass after 3 months of treatment less than 5% in relation to the initial one; Stabilization of the loss of body mass in less than 5% in relation to the initial one; Increase of 3 kg or more of body mass after previous loss.
In addition, treatment should not be longer than one year and frequent monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate should be done.
Who should not use
Sibutramine should not be used in people with a history of major appetite disorders, psychiatric illnesses, Tourette's syndrome, history of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, tachycardia, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, arrhythmias and cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, hyperthyroidism, prostate hypertrophy, pheochromocytoma, history of psychoactive substance and alcohol abuse, pregnancy, lactation and the elderly over 65 years of age.
How to take sibutramine safely
Sibutramine should only be used under medical prescription, after a careful evaluation of the person's health history and with filling out the term of responsibility by the doctor, which must be delivered to the pharmacy at the time of purchase.
In Brazil, Sibutramine can be used in obese patients who have a BMI of 30 or more, in addition to diet and physical activity.
Find out more information about sibutramine and understand its indications.
