Reductil (Sibutramine) has had its marketing authorisation for the European Union suspended by the European Medicines Agency with immediate effect. As a result of this suspension, we are no longer able to prescribe this medication.
The decision was taken after an extensive ongoing trial with this medication on people with cardiovascular problems. Although patients with cardiovascular issues are never prescribed Reductil in normal clinical practice, the committee believed that the fact that for many patients the weight loss achieved was not significant and in many cases was not sustained after the treatment was ceased, this meant that the overall risks may not outweight any potential benefits.
As the trial involved a population group specifically excluded as candidates for treatment with Sibutramine in clinical practice, we do expect Abbott (the manufacturer) to mount a vigorous appeal against this decision.