[Sibutramin in obesity treatment (multicenter, open, prospective 12-month-long study)]

Obesity presents a significant medical and socio-economic problem due its prevalence exceeding 20% of adult population. Body weight reduction significantly decreases both morbidity from numerous complications and total mortality. Nonpharmacological measures are the first step in weight reduction, however an effective pharmacotherapy is also needed in some of the patients. In a 12-month-long study 50 obese female patients were treated with Sibutramin doses of 10 mg or 15 mg. Sibutramin is a drug with a dual effect: it reduces intake of energy by simultaneous bringing on a sense of satiety and inhibiting reduction of the energy release which usually accompanies low energy diets. Medication accompanied with a diet therapy and physical activity led to a reduction of body weight by 14.9 kg and an important weight loss by 5% have reached nearly 95% of patients. The treatment was well tolerated and no significant side effects have been indicated.