MHRA Warns Of Fake Reductil Products
Written by Jane Tucker | Monday, 21 February 2011 | There are 19 comments
a person was rushed to hospital suffering from adverse affects
The UK ban on prescriptions for the weight loss medication and appetite suppressant Reductil has had a number of unfortunate consequences. Firstly, the obvious one is that many of those individuals who were previously losing a lot of weight using this drug are now unable to get it, but more seriously and worryingly criminals are cashing in by producing fake versions.
The UK MHRA has just put out a warning regarding a supposedly herbal weight loss product which was tested and found to contain double the normal prescription amount of the active ingredient in Reductil, namely sibutramine. [Yes double!].
The product called Herbal Flos Lonicerae (Herbal Xenicol) Natural Weight Loss Formula even used the word Xenicol a deliberate play on the word Xenical [another legal weight loss prescription medication].
The MHRA moved quickly to restrict sales of this dangerous product after a person was rushed to hospital suffering from adverse affects when using this supposedly herbal product. Reported side effects include heart palpitations, severe abdominal pain, gastritis and insomnia.
Reductil was deliberately made a prescription drug because certain people should not use it and it does have side effects. What we now have in the UK is a situation where people are getting their hands on sibutramine [the active ingredient of Reductil] but instead of with a doctor’s prescription and clear medical advice they are getting it in products which they believe to be completely harmless and herbal therefore implying no side effects or adverse events.
Mr. Richard Woodfield who is the head of herbal medicine policy at the MHRA said that over the last six years almost 300 supposedly natural or herbal products had been found to be laced with varying quantities of a whole range of pharmaceutical compounds. He said that these products were a “real risk to the public".
New rules are now being introduced to regulate traditional and herbal medications in an attempt to stamp out this illegal practice. The MHRA warned that anybody using the Herbal Flos Lonicerae (Herbal Xenicol) Natural Weight Loss Formula should immediately stop using it and get professional medical help.
Until the ban on using Reductil is lifted Ukmedix News would advise individuals seeking to lose weight to have an online consultation at the Ukmedix web site with the possibility of obtaining a prescription for Xenical.
There are 19 comments on this article.
Furious said:
Is it possible that this was not forseen by the MHRA. I am one of those who was doing incredibly well on Reductil and have now gained weight inspite of trying to diet!
Diana said:
Where can I get reductil from I really really need it. I also have gained lots of weight back.
rachel said:
if they had not banned these tablets there would be none of these problems they only have there self to blame if people fall ill from other tablets as i was on reductil and am also looking for other things to try they should bring it back on the grounds that only when a doctor sees you in person should then be given it not over internet consultations
Lisa said:
I am to one of this individuals who was doing very well on Reductil until it was taken off the market, I am getting married in a few years and this was the only thing that was working for me.
susan said:
i also was on reductil and lost 6 stone 2 years ago and have managed to keep it off but want to lose more. i am interested in some alternative appitite suppressant.
Frank said:
Lisa I hope that something will be done about it before you get married! I too need it and am so disapointed that it was removed, I hope they will see how they can release it again as it will save many lives.
Helen said:
I am devastated that Reductil has been withdrawn. I am diabetic and clinically obese. I lost over 2 stone on Reductil and don't understand why it was withdrawn when I had to see my Doctor every 28 days for blood pressure checks before he would prescribe me more. I am seeking an alternative and read that Reductil is being sole again in France, Sweden and many other European Countries. Am considering buying it there.
Julie said:
I was loosing weight so well on reductil and was devasted when they stopped it i even bought some generic ones and took them but they werent the same its about time the reinstated the use of reuctil as the risks from not prescribing it far outweigh the risks of bringing it back x
Angel said:
The SCOUT study results that prompted the suspension of Reductil in Europe was based on a population in which doctors do not prescribe Reductil i.e. patients with preexisting cardiovascular risks that make these patients more susceptible to cardiovascular complications. In addition, the high risk patients were prescribed Reductil for 60 months (when current guidelines recommend that doctors only prescribe Reductil for no longer than 12 months), I used to work for a very large pharmaceutical company, my work meant I was mainly involved in clinical trials, I have read the SCOUT study and I can not figure out why Abbott Pharmaceuticals authorised this trial to go ahead, in the business we don't authorise trials that could potentially become a negative? That is what the statisticians are for? Abbott had the current prescribing guidelines set at 12 months for a reason, why did they allow this trial to go on for 60 months and why in patients with such a risk, well they've learnt their lesson now, taking the risk to gain that sddition of a new clinical group to the licence was just being greedy, and now they're paying for it and so are we!!!
sunshiine said:
i was so upset when they banned reductil in australia, i went from 113 kg to 85 kg i then when on duromine because of reductil being banned and did the exact same routine as i did on reductil and i only gained weight on it (duromine). I never had any side affects. NEVER. dont people read the guidelines, stop taking if you have any of the side effects and see your GP asap! so slowly my weight has gone up and up even on the max dose of duromine. im really disappointed. I would do anything to get reductil back. the fact that it increases the risks of heart problems. WELL so does obesity. I would rather take this then be obese for the rest of my life and die because of the obesity. along those lines anyway. =/
Sandra said:
I lost 4 stone on reductil 5 years ago and I have put most of it back on. I was cleaning out a cupboard and found 10 15mg reductil and 8 10mg reductil. I dont care if they are out of date i'm going to take them to try to kick start a diet. Reductil are the only tablets that work and as long as you get regular check ups at the doctors there should be no problems. Bring back Reductil!
sofia said:
hey i m missing too reductil was best solution to my problem
pls Abbot company make reductil so that people like us can have help
anna said:
is there is any indication or research which says that reductil will come back
this time i will buy whole lot of bunch because i can't live with out reductil
i love u and i miss u
Gemma Johnson said:
i myself lost 4 stone on reductil and have put two back on, i do hope they bring it back soon before we all start taking risks and order other diet pills that may cause yes harm.
Laura said:
WHEN WILL REDUCTIL BE ON THE MARKET AGAIN????IT SHOULD BE DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL IF THEY WANT TO TAKE IT OR NOT!!!
Tawny said:
I agree that it should be down to the individual and if necessary their GP. People die of obesity and associated illnesses, do either day can be risky. I'm getting bigger and more distressed every day because of this.
jane deane said:
I agree with all the comments,if you have regular check ups with your gp then you should be allowed the choice to take this product. Does anyone know when it will be back on the market again? xx
Steph said:
I lost 3st 9lbs 4 years ago on Reductil and I have put it all back on. I spoke to my GP a year ago and asked to be put back on them and was amazed to find that they had been banned. Surely they will be reintroduced? They are a wonder drug!
Susan said:
Whr can i get reductil???? I lost 12kgs 3 yrs ago and kept well till after my delivery!!!! At 39 losing weight with diet and exercise is madness!!! I used reductill 10mg 28 tablets sparingly over 3mths and things were good for me. I really news reductil!!!!
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