Raductil Side Effects

The World Health Organizations reports that approximately 1.6 billion people aged 15 or older worldwide suffer from obesity, putting them at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancers of the breast or colon. In addition to diet and exercise, doctors sometimes rely upon prescription medications to help patients lose weight. Also called Reductil or sibutramine, Raductil is one such drug, commonly prescribed in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Mexico and throughout Central and South America. Despite its effectiveness, Raductil is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Significant Side Effects

• The most significant or common side effects of Raductil usually pose no long term threat. Because Raductil functions as an appetite suppressant, it is natural to feel less hungry or disinterested in food while taking the drug. Many patients report gastrointestinal side effects, including dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Insomnia, headaches and a feeling of pins and needles are also common.

Types of Other Side Effects

• Raductil also has the potential to cause a number of other less common, but not dangerous, side effects. Neurological side effects of Raductil include dizziness, nervousness, anxiety, depression and sleepiness. In addition to common gastrointestinal effects, patients also report flatulence, indigestion, changes in the taste of food and increased thirst. Women treated with Raductil report menstrual cramping and infections of the vagina or vaginitis. It is also possible to experience urinary tract infections, acne, double vision, hot flashes and pain in your back or chest related to Raductil.

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications which produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Raductil. For example, MAOI inhibitors, appetite suppressants and tryptophan cannot be taken within two weeks of Raductil as taking the drugs concurrently may cause a dangerous lack of appetite or pose risks for severe side effects. Because antifungal medicines like itraconazole and antibiotics like erythromycin increase the actions of Raductil, they also raise the frequency of its side effects. If taken with lithium, fluoxetine, migraine medications, opiod pain relievers or St. John's Wort, Raductil has the potential to cause a dangerous increase in brain chemicals, resulting in a condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Untreated, serotonin syndrome causes loss of consciousness and even death. When combined with blood thinners like Warfarin, Raductil increases your risk of experiencing uncontrollable bleeding during surgery or following an injury.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Raductil has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Some patients develop cardiovascular side effects from the drug, including palpitations, hypertension and rapid heartbeat. It is also possible to experience severe depression or seizures while using Raductil. Rarely, patients develop a shortage of blood platelets or thrombocytopenia while undergoing treatment with the drug. Untreated, thrombocytopenia causes an increased risk of uncontrollable bleeding or bleeding within your brain. Decreased kidney functioning or sudden kidney failure occur infrequently with use of Raductil.

Considerations

• Because Raductil causes low birth weights and birth defects, doctors rarely prescribe the drops for pregnant women. In addition, Raductil causes dangerous side effects in children under the age of 18 and adults over the age of 65. When you begin to lose weight, your doctor will decrease your dosage and eventually end your treatment with Raductil as the drug is safe only for short term use. If you have a history of kidney or liver dysfunction, cardiovascular disease or disorders, stroke, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, severe depression, Tourette's syndrome, eating disorders, substance abuse, epilepsy or bleeding disorders, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Raductil due to its potential side effects. Since it has the potential to cause dizziness and drowsiness, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how Raductil will affect you.