.
Sibutramine is used for the management of obesity, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, and should be used in association with a reduced calorie diet.
Interaction with Dietary Supplements
L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP
The amino acids L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) are occasionally used to treat
mental depression. Taking sibutramine with
L-tryptophan or 5-HTP might result in a rare, but serious group of symptoms known as
“serotonin syndrome.”1 Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may
include confusion, anxiety, muscle weakness, incoordination, and vomiting. Therefore,
individuals taking sibutramine should avoid supplementing with L-tryptophan and 5-HTP.
Interaction with Herbs
Ephedra (Ephedra
sinica)
One side effect of sibutramine is high blood
pressure. Ephedra, an herb used in cold remedies and herbal weight loss products, contains
ephedrine, which can also increase blood pressure. Though
no studies have investigated whether taking sibutramine together with ephedra might produce an
adverse interaction, currently available evidence suggests that this combination should be
used with caution.2
Interaction with Food and Other Compounds
Alcohol
Though one controlled study showed that drinking alcoholic beverages while taking sibutramine
produced no clinically important interaction, it is nevertheless recommended that individuals
taking the drug should avoid drinking alcohol.3
Summary of Interactions for Sibutramine
| Depletion or interference | None known |
|---|---|
| Adverse interaction | 5-HTP Alcohol Ephedra L-tryptophan |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Supportive interaction | None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability | None known |
For the convenience of the reader, the information in the summary is categorized as follows: “Depletion or interference” indicates the drug may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the supplement or herb. “Adverse interaction” indicates that the supplement or herb used together with the drug may result in undesirable effects. “Side effect reduction/prevention” indicates the supplement or herb may reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the drug. “Supportive interaction” indicates the supplement or herb may support or aid the function of the drug. “Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability” indicates that the supplement or herb may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the drug in the body. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
References:
1. Sifton DW, et. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000, 1509–13.
2. Sifton DW, et. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000, 1509–13.
3. Sifton DW, et. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000, 1509–13.
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