Ukmedix is becoming increasingly aware of the problem of Chinese herbal teas and other traditional medications from the East that contain the active ingredient in the prescription drug Reductil. The newsroom at Ukmedix regularily receives reports of a new bust or arrest of manufacturers and distributors of these illegal medications. In the UK the regulations regarding the imports of these teas is generally strict and so they rarely find their way to health shops or supermarkets here but in Hong Kong and other Far Eastern places the problem is becoming severe and they are also often sold on the internet all over the world.

Just recently the Department of Health in Hong Kong warned the public to stay away from a slimming medication called Detox Peptide after it was found to contain sibutramine, the active drug used in Reductil. Sibutramine is an appetite surpressant that is only allowed to be sold with a presciption and only in the Reductil weight loss medicine and not in any other form. The Reductil medication that is made by Abbott Laboratories is very effective in helping obese people lose weight but it has certain side effects and contraindications that must also be considered before using it. It can for example cause high blood pressure and must not be used by people who have a history of heart problems or elevated blood pressure.

In the case of the Detox Peptide, the Hong Kong Department of Health tested the product after 2 people reported adverse reactions after using it. They suffered from a sudden increase in heart rate and generally felt unwell. On testing it was found that the sibutramine was in a higher dose than the dose recommended by the EMEA and the FDA which means that it could have very dangerous consequences.

Reductil is only meant to be prescribed to obese people and it is imprtant that they monitor their blood pressure during the course of use and also that they eat a balanced and healthy diet at the same time. Reductil will not cure the obesity on its own and needs to be just part of a weight loss plan.