Reductil is the brand name of an oral drug, sibutramine, indicated for the treatment of obesity, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, and should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet. Reductil can help people eat less, and still eat the foods they like.

The active ingredient in Reductil, sibutramine, is a systematic agent that affects the brain's appetite control centers without completely suppressing appetite. Reductil blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, and does not cause neurotransmitter release. Reductil promotes gradual, sustained weight loss and works without inducing feelings of euphoria.

Some people should not take Reductil including people allergic to sibutramine or any of the other ingredients, people with high blood pressure (more than 145/90), or a history of heart problems, hardening of the arteries or of strokes, people aged over 65, or under 18, people having a psychiatric illness, or have taken other medicines in the last fortnight to treat depression or psychiatric illness and people having a medical condition causing their weight problem.

Most people who get side effects of Reductil get them early on (in the first four weeks) and find they wear off over time. Generally, side effects are mild enough for people to decide to carry on taking Reductil.

The most common side effects includes, loss of appetite, constipation, dry mouth, problems sleeping. If these effects bother you, talk to your doctor. Other common side effects include fast heartbeats, palpitations, raised blood pressure, feeling sick, sweating, headaches, feeling anxious.