Reductil is used together with a reduced-calorie diet to help you lose weight and to help keep the lost weight from returning. Reductil is thought to work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals, called norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. This medicine is approved for use only in people who are very overweight.

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Reductil , the following should be considered:

Allergies— Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Reductil . Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy— Reductil has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that Reductil causes birth defects when used in doses many times higher than the usual human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding— It is not known whether Reductil passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. A mother who is taking this medicine and who wishes to breast-feed should discuss this with her doctor.

Children— Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of Reductil in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults— many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of Reductil in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines— although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking Reductil , it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems— the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Reductil . Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

•  Anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder) or

•  Glaucoma, narrow angle or

•  High blood pressure (or history of)— Reductil may make these conditions worse

•  Brain disease or damage, or mental retardation or

•  Seizures (history of)— Reductil may increase the chance of having seizures

•  Gallstones (or history of)—Weight loss may make this condition worse

•  Heart disease (or history of) or

•  Stroke (or history of)—Increased blood pressure or heart rate caused by Reductil may make these conditions worse

•  Kidney disease (severe) or

•  Liver disease (severe)—Higher blood levels of Reductil may occur, increasing the chance of having unwanted effects

Side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some of these effects, such as high blood pressure, may not have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. While you are taking Reductil , your doctor will check your blood pressure and heart rate at regular visits.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•  Less common

• Achiness;  chills;  fast or irregular heartbeat;  increased blood pressure ;  mental depression;  painful menstruation;  swelling of body or of feet and ankles  

•  Rare

• Bruising or red spots or patches on skin;  convulsions (seizures);  excessive bleeding following injury;  headache (severe);  rapidly changing moods;  skin rash;  weight gain (unusual) 

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

•  More common

• Anxiety;  constipation;  dizziness;  dryness of mouth;  headache;  irritability or unusual impatience ;  nervousness;  stuffy or runny nose;  trouble in sleeping 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication.