Reductil is the European trade name for a weight loss pill that contains an active ingredient called sibutramine. In the United States sibutramine is called Meridia. This slimming pill works to control the amount of food that a dieter eats by affecting the way that the brain responds to food.

When you eat enough, your body releases and reabsorbs serotonin and noradrenalin, two chemicals in the brain. These chemicals create the feeling of fullness that tells you to stop eating. When you take Reductil, the re-uptake of these chemicals is blocked. This does not suppress your appetite, as many weight loss pills try to do, but instead causes you to feel full sooner. In other words, you will feel full after eating less food.

Reductil and other medications containing sibutramine have been tested extensively worldwide. Before the product was approved for use in Europe and the United States, over 12,000 obese patients had used the product in clinical trails. These trials showed that Reductil, when combined with diet and exercise, was effective in helping obese patients lose weight.

Sibutramine is not a "magic pill" for weight loss, and since it affects the chemicals in the brain, it should only be used when excess fat is causing health problems. Those with a body mass index of 30 or higher or who have other risks due to obesity are good candidates to add sibutramine to their overall weight loss plan. In most areas of the world the medications containing sibutramine are only available with a prescription.

Reductil has a few risks associated with its use. This medication can greatly increase blood pressure for some patients, so those who are struggling with controlling their blood pressure should use caution when taking this medication. Also, those with heart conditions, such as angina or arrhythmias, should not take this medication. Reductil is only designed for individuals who are over the age of 18, as its safety for obese children has not been tested.

If your doctor decides that Reductil is a good way to supplement your weight loss plan, he will prescribe a dosage based on your medical history. You will likely take one capsule a day. The medication is not intended for long-term use, and the safety of using the medication beyond one year has not yet been tested.

Once you are prescribed Reductil, your doctor will want to follow up with you at regular intervals. These follow up visits will be used to track your weight loss and monitor other aspects of your health, such as your blood pressure, to make sure that the medication is working properly. If you are not losing weight after beginning the weight loss pills, your doctor will help you design a diet and exercise plan to help complement the effect of the medication. This medication is designed to help you stick with your diet by helping you feel full, but you still must commit yourself to dieting and exercising if you intend to see significant weight loss results. See All articles From Author Tags:

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Word Count Appx. : 504 | Article Views 853 Published 16-01-2008