Introduction

As healthy living becomes the call of the present times, more people especially the big and heavy ones are encouraged to lose weight. They have different ways to achieve this goal such as go the gym or go running as well as do physical exercises on a regular basis, go on a diet and take diet medicines that would cut down the calories in their body.

For those who are combining a diet and exercise program that includes intake of diet supplements, the appetite suppressant sibutramine may play a major role. This drug that is often marketed as Meridia in the U.S. and Reductil in Europe works by controlling a person’s craving for food through the slowing down of the naturally occurring chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. When taken, the medicine informs the brain’s satiety center or the part which controls the appetite that the stomach is full thereby preventing the person from eating more.

Sibutramine and eating disorders

The use of sibutramine in any weight loss program should be done under the supervision of a doctor. This is because improper intake or abuse of the drug can cause adverse effects. As the main function of the medicine is to suppress a person’s appetite, there is a possibility that anorexia or loss of appetite or other symptoms related to this condition could occur. This eating disorder can affect about 13 percent of people taking sibutramine.

Many weight loss programs recommend the use of sibutramine also known as an anorectic drug. The drug is especially prescribed for obese people wanting to lose weight on a permanent basis. It is believed that a combination of regular exercise, low calorie diet and administration of drugs that control the brain’s neurons can cut down the body’s fat cells. In fact, it can promote continuous burning of calories even without any physical activity. And so as the fat cells are gradually eliminated, a person’s craving for food is also reduced.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that if not treated immediately can lead to low body weight, weakness and even death. It is also considered a mental illness with high morbidity and mortality rates. Often, a person suffering from this condition refuses to eat in an effort to maintain a healthy body weight. Another noted symptom is the fear of gaining weight because of the belief that it will not make them look good.

In a 2008 research on Sibutramine-induced anorexia in adult male rats, it was also found out that those that were given the drug had lower food intake. In terms of behavior, there were very few effects including an increase in the time spend resting and slow feeding.

Although sibutramine is approved as an effective drug for long term treatment of obesity, proper dosage should be observed at all times in consultation with a physician. When being overweight is a major concern, it should always be a priority to first consult with a doctor before undertaking any weight loss program moving forward. Remember that health is wealth and nobody should ever take it for granted.