Subitramine

Subitramine works by acting on the appetite control center in the brain. The active ingredient in Meridia, sibutramine, works in the area of the brain that signals the sense of fullness. Subitramine does not suppress appetite, which is your signal to start eating.

Subitramine blocks the re-uptake of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which help regulate the sense of fullness. Fullness is your signal to stop eating. Having a sense of fullness, or satiety, means you may feel satisfied with less food.

Subitramine is recommended for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30. (BMI is calculated by weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Among adults, Subitramine has been found to increase blood pressure or heart rate in some patients. That’s one reason why the consumer group Public Citizen has named Subitramine to its “worst drugs” list. Public Citizen has twice petitioned the FDA to remove the drug from the market, citing 49 heart disease deaths in people taking Subitramine and suggesting that the drug might be linked to fetal defects in four babies born to women taking Subitramine.Not everyone agrees with that.

The American Obesity Association has said that death rates seen with Subitramine are lower than the overall death rate for obese people. Subitramine’s maker has noted that heart disease deaths aren’t uncommon with obesity. Clinical trials of more than 12,000 people showed no sign that Subitramine increased the risk of heart problems. The drug’s maker says Subitramine’s benefits far outweigh any risk, based on clinical trials and post marketing data. This is something you will need to discuss with your doctor before starting this treatment and your blood pressure should be monitored during treatment.

The most common side effects with Subitramine are dry mouth, anorexia, constipation and headache. Other side effects not as common include mydriasis and should be used with caution if you have glaucoma.