Sibutramine Hydrochloride Oral capsule
Sibutramine Hydrochloride Oral capsule
What is this medicine?
NOTE: Sibutramine has been withdrawn from the market and is no longer available.
SIBUTRAMINE (si BYOO tra meen) is used to promote and maintain weight loss in obese patients. This medicine should be used with a reduced calorie diet and, if appropriate, an exercise program.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 16 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
changes in vision
chest pain
difficulty breathing
fever
heart palpitations
increased blood pressure
increased heart rate
muscle or joint pain
pain, burning or tingling in the hands or feet
seizures
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual swelling of the arms or legs
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
dry mouth
headache
trouble sleeping
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with the following medications:
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
medicines for colds, sinus, and breathing difficulties
other medicines for weight loss including prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products
procarbazine
tryptophan
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
certain migraine headache medicines like almotriptan, dihydroergotamine, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
dextromethorphan
erythromycin
fentanyl
ketoconazole
lithium
medicines for anxiety, depression or other mental problems
meperidine
pentazocine
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from heat, light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have or have had any of these conditions:
anorexia nervosa, bulimia or other eating disorder
glaucoma
heart disease like congestive heart failure or a previous heart attack
heart rhythm problems or palpitations, chest pain
high blood pressure
kidney or liver disease
peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
stroke or symptoms of a stroke
thyroid disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to sibutramine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have your blood pressure and heart rate checked.
This medicine is intended to be used in addition to a healthy diet and appropriate exercise. The best results are achieved this way. Do not increase or in any way change your dose without consulting your doctor or health care professional.
A weight loss of 4 pounds or more during your first month of treatment is a good indicator of success with this medicine. Most of the weight you will lose will be lost gradually during 6 to 12 months.
Updated:  
March 22, 2017