The use of sibutramine in the management of obesity and related disorders: an update.
OBJECTIVE
To review the major trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the use of sibutramine for weight loss and the impact of this agent on obesity-related disorders.


RESULTS
The most important articles on sibutramine up to January 2009 were located by a PubMed and Medline search. Sibutramine reduces food intake and body weight more than placebo and has positive effects on the lipid profile (mainly triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol), glycemic control and inflammatory markers in studies for up to one year. Preliminary studies showed that sibutramine may also improve other obesity-associated disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy, binge eating disorder and adolescent obesity. The high discontinuation rates and some safety issues mainly due to the increase in blood pressure and pulse rate have to be considered. Additionally, it has not yet been established that treatment with sibutramine will reduce cardiovascular events and total mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Sibutramine, in conjunction with lifestyle measures, is a useful drug for reducing body weight and improving associated cardiometabolic risk factors and obesity-related disorders. Studies of longer duration are required to determine the precise indications of the drug, to evaluate safety issues and to assess its efficacy on cardiovascular mortality.
Tziomalos
Konstantinos
K
Department of endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Panagia General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Krassas
Gerasimos E
GE
Tzotzas
Themistoklis
T
D000328:Adult; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; C058254:sibutramine