Side Effects Of Sibutramine
Introduction
Any medication, even a herbal or health supplement one, can have side effects in some of the population taking it, and Sibutramine is no different in having some side effects that can affect some of the population. Generally speaking Sibutramine is perfectly safe to take and, being a schedule IV controlled substance in the USA is subject to being made available on prescription by a medical practitioner/advisor. Sibutramine is also known as Reductil and Meridia, to which these side-effects also apply.
Helping with the common side effects of Sibutramine
Don't take St. Johns Wort and Sibutramine coincidentally
The three most common side-effects of Sibutramine are feelings of having a dry mouth, trouble sleeping (insomnia) and constipation. Others include an increased propensity to perspire, nervousness, headaches and perhaps more disconcertingly – vomiting. In the case of constipation and vomiting a pharmacist can recommend proprietary treatments to help prevent them. Dry mouths are easily treated by increasing your fluid intake, sipping water as required. The increased perspiration could be due to increasing your intake of water due to having a dry mouth, or the fact that your metabolism has been raised by your new medication, diet and exercise regime; and should not be a cause for immediate alarm. Headaches are easily treated with your preferred analgesic; unless there are other reasons for not using it paracetamol is recommended due to the potential adverse effects associated with aspirin and anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen, that can damage your kidneys. To cure insomnia ensure that you have a period of calm before going to bed, reading a book with the TV and music off or have a relaxing bath or shower. Of the more common side-effects of Sibutramine nervousness is probably the least common and least expected of them. Generally speaking Sibutramine is more likely to have a calming effect on you due to its chemical action on the brain which is similar to some anti-depressants. Unfortunately, herbal cures for nervousness such as valerian and St John’s Wort should be avoided whilst on this medication; so you might need to discuss any increased feelings of nervousness with your physician.
More serious side-effects of Sibutramine
These more serious side-effects after taking Sibutramine are rare but if you should experience them you should seek a consultation with your medical doctor as soon as possible. The recurring symptoms to look out for are: continual feelings of nausea and vomiting, a pounding heart or accelerated and irregular heartbeats, hypertension (raised blood pressure) often accompanied with dizziness or lightheadedness, abdominal or chest pains, depression, bleeding or bruising and unexpected/unusual skin rashes.
If you have any side-effects
If you should have any of the above less serious side-effects as a result of taking Sibutramine, you will need to consider the impact of those side-effects against the positive long-term benefits to you of taking this appetite suppressant – as an obese person whose whole future health could be adversely affected by you not losing weight now. Having said that, if a side-effect persists and makes you constantly uncomfortable then you should seek medical advice as to the prescription you are taking. Also, don’t forget that many new medications can cause side-effects when a treatment has just begun, but for most people they invariably reduce or go away completely as your body adjusts to the new medication you’re taking. Finally, for some of the side-effects your local pharmacist may be able to recommend a treatment to counter the side-effect anyway.
Side-effects and dangers of a Sibutramine overdose
Instances of over-dosing on Sibutramine are few and far between considering it has been taken safely by some 13 million people world-wide since 2001. However, in general terms a beta-adrenergic blocking agent would be administered to immediately counter the effects of an overdose were it accidental or deliberate. However, in the few known cases there has been no long lasting after effect of ingesting a Sibutramine overdose, even in the case of a 45 year old male who took 400mg in one go – when the recommended daily dose is just 10mg! The only report relating to that incidence is that his heart rate rose to 120 beats per minute, returning to normal within 24 hours. A suspected Sibutramine overdose should be reported to the nearest hospital facility that can then instigate cardiac and other vital functions monitoring.