The Efficacy and Safety of Sibutramine for Weight Loss

Background: The primary goal of weight loss is to prevent or reduce obesity-associated morbidity and mortality by improving cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.We conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of sibutramine hydrochloride for weight loss.Methods: In April 2002, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and 7 other computerized bibliographic search tools using the keywords "sibutramine," "Meridia," and "Reductil" (in all languages and all available years).The authors and the manufacturer were contacted.We reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials of sibutramine, 10 to 20 mg/d, in obese adults.Methodological quality was assessed.Results: A total of 29 trials had sufficient data for analysis after including unpublished data from 10 authors.The summary mean differences in weight loss, sibutramine minus placebo, for the 3-month and 1-year trials were -2.78 kg (95% confidence interval, -2.26 to -3.29 kg)