Reductil is a medication developed by Abbott to help in weight loss for patients suffering from obesity. To understand the need for a reduction in weight, it is necessary to understand obesity. Obesity is a heavy accumulation of fat in the body's fat cells to such a serious degree that it rapidly increases the risk of obesity-associated diseases and mortality. Reduction in weight is therefore desirable, to say the least.

Reductil contains the active ingredient sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate; it works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. Reductil prevents two of these neurotransmitters, noradrenaline and serotonin, from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells. It is thought that Reductil helps people to lose weight by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin free to act in the brain. This enhances the feeling of fulfillment from eating, and so makes you feel satisfied after eating less food.

Reductil is for use and licensed to help people lose weight with a body mass index of 30 or higher. For people with a BMI of 27 or more who have other weight related factors, for instance high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes it is also prescribed. Reductil is only prescribed to people who are experiencing difficulties of achieving or maintaining a weight loss of five per cent over three months.

You will need to continue with an appropriate diet and exercise programme while taking Reductil, so that you are able to maintain your new weight after you have stopped taking Reductil. Your doctor should give you advice to assist you with this.

No matter how you are trying to lose weight, you should change your lifestyle in terms of eating habits and physical activity. This applies equally when taking Reductil, so that you can maintain your new weight after you have stopped treatment. Your doctor should advise you on the changes you need to make and you should continue to monitor your weight after you stop treatment. If you don't change your lifestyle you may regain the weight you have lost.