Currently, the drug "Reduxin" is actively used as an excellent and especially effective fat-burning agent. On the market of modern pharmaceuticals, you can find “Reduxin” and “Reduxin Met”, which, even though they are used for the same purposes, can boast of having some distinctive features.
Like any other fat-burning drug of this type, these two drugs have a number of side effects and, at the same time, may be contraindicated in some certain situations. In view of this, in order to be able to talk about how they differ from each other, one should first become familiar with each of the above-mentioned aspects separately.
Distinctive features of the drug "Reduxin" and its side effects
Due to the fact that these two drugs contain the component sibutramine, which has an extremely positive effect on the process of losing weight, the drug "Reduxin", as well as its closest analogue - "Reduxin Met", can be called powerful anorexigenic substances . They can be called such because they have a strong effect on the central nervous system. Another property that makes these two drugs similar to each other may also be the fact that they are distributed only by prescription. This state of affairs is explained by the fact that these two drugs are addictive and that is why its use must necessarily have a certain medical justification.
The existence of the drug “Reduxin” has been known for quite a long period of time and now this remedy can be considered a standard, and not some extended version, which is the drug “Reduxin Met”. As its distinctive features, contraindications may be perceived, of which in the case of this medication there is a whole list.
By the way, due to such a large number of them, the use of “Reduxin” can be considered appropriate only if the benefit of the composition provided in this drug is higher than the harm that would be caused specifically by excess weight. As for contraindications, from their total number, a variety of mental illnesses, glaucoma, hypertension, pregnancy, obesity, and so on should be highlighted.
Comparison of funds
What is the difference between Reduxin and Reduxin MET?
Compositions
Reduxin is available in the form of capsules with a dosage of the active ingredient of 10 and 15 mg.
Reduxin MET is a complex drug; one package contains two medications - tablets and capsules. The active ingredient in these medications is sibutramine.
In Reduxin MET, this component is supplemented with metformin. The content of this substance enhances the effectiveness of the drug and expands its pharmacological properties.
Auxiliary components in the preparations are:
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- titanium dioxide dye;
- gelatin;
- patented blue dye;
- calcium stearate.
Possible results
Experts strongly prohibit the use of Reduxin MET for routine body contouring. The drug was developed for the treatment of obesity associated with various diseases. If you take tablets or capsules if you have a natural tendency to be overweight, there is a risk of developing numerous side effects. When treated according to indications, both drugs show good results. Reduxin can be taken if there are serious abnormalities in metabolic processes that lead to weight gain.
Possible results of taking medications:
- body weight after a course of drug treatment remains unchanged (the process of accumulation of fat deposits stops);
- in most cases, weight loss occurs to an insignificant extent;
- Elimination of a large number of extra pounds may be due to the individual characteristics of the body.
What is the fundamental difference between the drugs “Reduxin” and “Reduxin Met”?
As we have already told you, Reduxin Met is a drug that implies some kind of improved development . This is a combination medicine that consists of two main medications:
- Capsules containing sibutramine. They contribute in every possible way to the treatment of obesity, suppress human appetite and relieve a person from the so-called food addiction.
- Tablets with metformin, which acts as a unique hypoglycemic agent. Among other things, they can boast of having a good fat-burning effect.
In fact, these two drugs have an identical effect on the human body, and what distinguishes them from each other is their composition , which in the case of Reduxin Met can be called much more advanced. At the same time, due to the fact that Reduxin Met is an improved version of the standard drug, it costs slightly more.
Moreover, according to the official statement of the pharmaceutical companies responsible for the manufacture of the improved version of the drug "Reduxin", it should be noted that an additional area of its use can be considered the treatment of obesity, which arose against the background of pre-existing diabetes. This is due to the fact that metformin, present in this drug, can increase the sensitivity of human receptors to insulin, thus forcing the utilization of glucose itself.
In view of all of the above, it should be noted that these two drugs are almost identical in terms of their direct use. At the same time, “Reduxin Met” is an improved version of the ordinary “Reduxin” and that is why the first of the above-mentioned drugs costs a little more!
Medicine and healthComment
Characteristics of Reduxin
A combined drug for the treatment of obesity, the release form is capsules containing 2 active ingredients:
- sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate at a dosage of 10 or 15 mg;
- microcrystalline cellulose at a dosage of 158.5 or 153.5 mg.
The medicine is sold in cardboard packs, each of which may contain 30, 60 or 90 capsules.
The action of sibutramine is due to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of monoamines and increase the activity of serotonin, adrenaline and 5HT receptors. These processes lead to a decrease in the need for food and a faster feeling of fullness.
In addition, the substance can affect brown adipose tissue, increase the concentration of HDL, reduce the concentration of LDL, triglycerides, and uric acid.
Cellulose, being a sorbent, not only helps cleanse the body of toxins, but also, by swelling in the stomach, causes a feeling of fullness.
The drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. It should be taken once a day in the morning with plenty of liquid. The dose is selected by the attending physician. The manufacturer of the drug recommends starting therapy with 10 mg; if its ineffectiveness is confirmed by the patient’s leading specialist, a transition to 15 mg is made.
pharmachologic effect
Each of the substances in the drug has different properties. Metformin hydrochloride is a biguanide. This substance is characterized by a hypoglycemic effect - its main function is to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood to normal levels. During therapy, this substance does not affect insulin production. Additionally, metformin improves the absorption of glucose by muscle cells. Its other functions:
- suppression of the process of fatty acid production;
- reducing the intensity of fat oxidation;
- elimination of disturbances in the body’s response to insulin, which leads to an increase in its concentration in the blood;
- reduction in the content of a number of organic substances: low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides;
- restoration of blood composition.
Normalization of glucose levels is due to an increase in the activity of all membrane transporters. Metformin promotes weight loss because it slows down the absorption of carbohydrates by the intestinal walls.
Metformin promotes weight loss.
This component helps to normalize impaired metabolism (dyslipidemia), reducing the level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. Due to this, the process of uncontrolled weight gain is stabilized; with a properly selected diet, weight can decrease.
Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate exhibits its action with the participation of amines (metabolites). As a result of a series of biochemical processes, sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate is transformed into the original substance. Under the influence of this component, the activity of adrenergic and central serotonin receptors increases. Thanks to this, a feeling of fullness appears and the need for food decreases for a while.
Additionally, microcrystalline cellulose also helps reduce body weight. This is an enterosorbent that eliminates the symptoms of intoxication. Cellulose has an overall positive effect on the functioning of the digestive system.
Pharmacokinetics
The enterosorbent contained in Reduxin Met does not interact with other medicinal substances and is not absorbed by the intestinal walls and is excreted during bowel movements. The bioavailability of metformin is 50-60%. This substance quickly penetrates the plasma. Peak activity is reached after 2.5 hours. Metformin is poorly metabolized. The substance is removed from the body through urination. The half-life does not exceed 6.5 hours.
Sibutramine is absorbed less intensively. This substance is actively metabolized. Its peak effectiveness is reached after 1.2 hours. Substances that are released during metabolism also show activity, but they begin to act 3-4 hours after taking the drug. Most of sibutramine is excreted from the body in the form of metabolites with the participation of the kidneys. The half-life of the unchanged substance is 1 hour. The products of its transformation are removed over the next 14-16 hours.
Contraindications
There are many restrictions on the use of the tool in question:
- individual reaction to any component of the product;
- precomatose state, coma;
- ketoacidosis against the background of developing diabetes mellitus;
- impaired renal function if creatinine clearance is below 45 ml/min;
- liver pathologies;
- negative factors that contribute to liver dysfunction: vomiting, uncontrolled diarrhea, states of shock that arise for various reasons, as well as severe infectious diseases;
- cardiac dysfunction: ischemia, hypertension, etc.;
- hypoxia and any negative factors contributing to the development of this pathological condition;
- alcohol poisoning;
- hyperplasia of benign prostate tissue, which leads to dysfunction of urination, resulting in an increase in the concentration of active substances that must be excreted by the kidneys;
- disruption of the endocrine system (thyrotoxicosis);
- pheochromocytoma;
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- lactic acidosis;
- chemical dependence on drugs or narcotic substances;
- injuries, surgery when insulin therapy is necessary;
- recent examination with the use of contrast agents, if less than 48 hours have passed before the procedure;
- a diet with a daily intake of no more than 1000 kcal;
- anorexic nervous disorders, bulimia;
- nervous tics;
- severe mental disorders.
Carefully
There are a number of conditions in which it is permissible to use the drug in question, but therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor; in addition, more careful monitoring of the body’s condition is required. Relative contraindications:
- chronic circulatory failure;
- history of arterial pathology;
- cholelithiasis;
- pathological conditions accompanied by convulsions, impaired consciousness;
- kidney and liver dysfunction with mild or moderate intensity of manifestations;
- epilepsy;
- tendency to bleed;
- treatment with agents that affect hemostasis and platelet activity;
- increased physical stress on the body of patients over 60 years of age.
Doctors' opinions
Experts confirm the high effectiveness of the drugs Reduxin and Reduxin MET in the treatment of obesity. These medications act on certain areas of the brain, causing the feeling of fullness with food to occur faster . Additionally, medications have a beneficial effect on metabolic processes, the formation of correct eating behavior and accelerate the breakdown of fats. Experts are of the opinion that only a doctor should choose which drug should be prescribed to a patient.
Based on the opinions of doctors, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- the effectiveness of Reduxin MET is higher than Reduxin due to its expanded composition;
- It is better to start obesity therapy with Reduxin, and if its effectiveness is low, replace it with a medication marked “MET”;
- to achieve a sustainable result, you must take the drugs for at least three months (otherwise the effect may be temporary);
- Under no circumstances should you start taking any fat-burning drugs for obesity on your own;
- use of drugs in the absence of medical indications for numerous side effects (dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness or insomnia, constipation or diarrhea, disorders of the digestive system, cardiovascular system and brain;
- drugs have many contraindications, most of which can only be identified through a comprehensive examination of the patient;
- if Reduxin does not provide a positive trend, then you cannot replace it with Reduxin MET without consulting a doctor.
