Sibutral, danger alert!

SIBUTRAL is a drug for the treatment of obesity linked to eating disorders, first marketed in France in 1999.

This sibutramine has been much talked about. In the early days, it was credited with weight-loss efficacy, but with the passage of time and the gradual appearance of certain side effects, it began to be highly contested.

In 2010, its marketing authorization was withdrawn following two deaths suspected to be linked to its use.

Following these two serious accidents, the drug was re-evaluated by European authorities. And after carrying out a new, more recent study, the decision was upheld, and the European Medicines Agency also maintained its position, ruling against the illegal marketing of all drugs based on Sibutramine, Sibutral’s main active ingredient.

However, this has not prevented some unscrupulous manufacturers, out to line their own pockets by any means necessary, from continuing to market weight-loss supplements whose composition is similar to that of Sibutral, in defiance of all current regulations.

Naturally, any products detected are immediately confiscated and withdrawn from the market by the relevant authorities to protect consumer safety.

We therefore decided to investigate Sibutral to better understand the controversy surrounding it.

When Sibutral can be prescribed?

Sibutral is a centrally-acting obesity treatment, meaning that it acts on the central nervous system, and more specifically on the brain.

To enable users to lose weight, this drug produces a sensation of satiety while increasing the body’s caloric expenditure.

As a result, we eat less and expend more, which should inevitably lead to weight loss.

To guarantee this effect, Sibutral appropriates the mode of action of antidepressants: it promotes the action of certain neurotransmitters ( serotonin and noradrenaline noradrenaline) at the level of nerve connections, without actually acting on the depression.

Generally, this drug is prescribed for people suffering from obesity (BMI>30) or overweight with other factors predisposing to cardiovascular damage, such as diabetes and increased triglyceride or cholesterol levels in the blood.

Ingredients of Sibutral

Sibutral is composed of a single ingredient: sibutramine.

This substance was marketed in France under the name Sibutral, in the USA and Canada under the name Meridia, and in Europe under the name Reductil (other names exist, but Reductil was the most popular).

Approved in the USA in 1997 and in Europe in 1999, sibutramine was withdrawn from the market in 2010 when it was implicated in two deaths and a series of side effects described as dangerous.

A notice of withdrawal of Sibutral from the market has been issued by the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM):
Safety information: Batch and product withdrawals – Batch withdrawals Sibutral 10mg capsule and Sibutral 15mg capsules Laboratoire ABBOTT.

(Source : ANSM agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé)

The contraindications of Sibutral

Sibutral’s list of contraindications is likely to be very long, but we’re going to mention it in full to give you a clearer idea of all the complications this product can cause.

Sibutral is contraindicated in the following cases:

• Age under 18 or over 65;
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding;
• Obesity associated with a non-dietary cause, such as dysthyroidism. In this case, the cause must be tackled directly;
• Eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia;
• Psychiatric illnesses sensitive to Sibutral’s central nervous effect;
• Tic disorders (illness characterized by the occurrence of sudden, involuntary movements or the pronunciation of meaningless phrases or words);
• Certain heart conditions: history of infarction or stroke, heart failure, rhythm disorders, etc;
• Uncontrolled and untreated hypertension;
• Hyperthyroidism;
• Renal or hepatic insufficiency;
• Certain eye diseases;
• History of drug or alcohol abuse;
• Recent psychiatric treatment or other weight-loss medication.

Interaction Sibutral withother drugs

Sibutral is the type of medication that should be mentioned to your doctor before taking any other treatment.

Indeed, it should not be taken with MAOI-type antidepressants, any psychiatric medication, many sleeping pills and weight loss supplements.

It should also not be taken with drugs that alter serotonin concentrations in the brain, such as certain anti-migraine and opiate drugs.

Sibutral of Sibutral

Sibutral side effects often occur at the very start of treatment (generally from the first month onwards).

Once again, we’ve chosen to give you the full list of Sibutral side effects, even though it’s very long.

• Effects on the cardiovascular system :
  Increased heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure and vasodilation manifested by frequent hot flushes.
• Effects on the gastrointestinal system:
  Constipation, nausea, aggravation of hemorrhoids.

  Less frequent: diarrhea, vomiting and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

• Central nervous system effects:
  Dry mouth (very frequent effect), insomnia, sensations of tingling and numbness, headache and anxiety.

  Less frequent: convulsions and transient memory disorders.

• Effects on the cutaneous system:
  Increased sweating.
• Modification of the senses:
  Notable disturbances of taste.
• Effects on the immune system:
  Variable allergic reactions ranging from a moderate or severe rash to a very severe allergic reaction.
• Psychiatric effects:
  Agitation and depression in people with a history of depression.
• Eye disorders:
  Visual disturbances.
• Reproductive effects:
  Ejaculation and orgasm disorders, sexual impotence, menstrual cycle disorders and non-menstrual bleeding.
• Other Sibutral side effects:
  Withdrawal symptoms such as headaches have been observed in some users after discontinuing Sibutral.

Our Opinion on Sibutral

We reject all illegal substances and encourage our readers to report any website that continues to sell illegal substances despite warnings issued by health and consumer protection authorities.

Sibutral has been withdrawn from the market for one reason: it is dangerous and may have been the direct cause of two deaths! Whether or not it is effective as a weight-loss pill, Sibutral is absolutely to be avoided.

We understand that you’re looking for a fast, effective weight-loss solution. We know you’ve probably already tried a few products that turned out to be completely useless.

Like you, we’re looking for the right solution, but at least we know that Sibutral or any other medication containing sibutramine, or even those claiming to contain only a small amount of it, won’t be the answer.

There’s no need to expose yourself to such risks, when there are so many safe, effective weight-loss supplements on the market that comply fully with the regulations of the French and other health authorities.