The average weight loss in persons on only a reduced calorie diet was 3.5 lbs. The most common side effects associated with sibutramine include dry mouth, headache, constipation and insomnia. The drug causes a small increase in average blood pressure, and causes a higher increase in some patients. FDA recommends patients taking sibutramine have regular blood pressure evaluations. People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not take sibutramine.
Obesity is a highly prevalent medical condition and is commonly accompanied by hypertension.
This study assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with sibutramine hydrochloride for promoting and maintaining weight loss in obese patients with controlled hypertension, including a subset analysis of African American patients. Safety assessments included recording of blood pressure, pulse rate, adverse events, and reasons for discontinuation. For patients receiving sibutramine, weight loss occurred during the first 6 months of the trial and was maintained to the end of the 12-month treatment period . Changes in body weight were similar among African Americans and whites. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity and transient.