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Original poster

REDUCTIL.......anyone tried it?

13 replies

bunny75 · 16/10/2006 16:29

My best friend recently took Reductil for 6 months and lost 2 and a half stone. I am clinically obese and need to lose about 3 and a half stone (my BMI is 33). I have no medical conditions, but have a family history of heart disease and diabetes on my Father's side. I have tried many diets over the years to no real avail, and was sure that if I asked my GP for help, she would prescribe it for me. Surprisingly, she told me that unless my BMI was 35 or over or i was suffering with diabetes or a heart complaint myself, they will not give it to me. I am disappointed, but have seen Reductil for sale on the web (very pricey!). Has anyone got any advice???? many thanks

OP posts:
Furball · 16/10/2006 16:57

Whats wrong with a good old fashioned diet? Maybe join a slimming club so you get moral support as well as learning to change your eating and dietary habits. I know it sounds corney but the only way to loose weight and keep it off is to eat less exercise more. Please don't go popping pills off the internet, your doctor wouldn't prescribe them for a reason. There's loads of people to support you on the weight loss boards, have a shuft Here

Glassofslime · 16/10/2006 17:01

My mum has taken reductil in the past - whilst she is overweight I wouldn't say she was clinically obese and I suspect her BMI wasn't 35. However she does go to a private gp - which also means that the medication is on a private prescription so you pay full price and I do believe they were expensive. She did have a few palpitations but only in the first couple of weeks and did loose a lot of weight - she has done it twice now and it's been very sucessfull for her.

Guapina · 16/10/2006 17:22

Bunny, I know its hard but a pill wont do the job (not for long anyway), I have a friend who is a personal trainer and has her own studio in Nth London her website who reads a lot into diets, pills any fad her clients or the media talk about and she will tell you the only thing that truly works is eating well and exercise. Even if a pill does remove the weight it won?t last unless you change your lifestyle, most people I know who have used pills end up gaining back the weight and more.
Best of luck whatever you decide. I know its not easy to loose weight I am still trying to get back my early 20?s figure after 5 years?.
Best of luck whatever you decide.

claireh11 · 16/10/2006 20:04

i took reductil and I would advise you NEVER to take it without constant medical supervision.

Whilst on it you have to go to your GP's surgery and see the Nurse to have your blood pressure checked every 2 weeks and see the doctor every 4 weeks.

I was on it for 2 months and had to come off it in end as it made my blood pressure rocket. It is basically legal speed/amphetamines and makes you not feel hungry.

HTH

Blandmum · 16/10/2006 20:11

Never, ever buy prescription meds off the internet. they are precription for a reason, you need to be monitored.

I used to work for the pharma company that moakes reductil.

I does help weight loss, but only in conjucion with a proper, healthy diet.....patients on it lose 7 kg more than those not on it.

Your doc is going on the prescribing guidelines and isn't just being mean.

It isn't a magic bullet.

Original poster
bunny75 · 16/10/2006 23:42

Been away for a few hours. Thank you all for your response. I know deep down that the diet pills aren't the long term solution to obesity. I just find that with all the diets/slimming groups i have undertaken, I lose some weight, but become so dispondant when I plateau at like half a stone and no more comes off. I know I sound like every other person who has a weight problem, but I guess finding the will power to stick to something is all thats needed.....its just finding it! Guapina, I will take a look at the website....thank u.Furball, I am still quite new to MN, and havent yet looked at all the boards, so will give it a go.thanks again!

OP posts:
geekgrrl · 17/10/2006 12:23

dh has tried on (on prescription from the GP), it make zero difference unfortunately.

geekgrrl · 17/10/2006 12:24

'made' even.

Blandmum · 17/10/2006 12:27

That is a shame gg. on average it does help, but there will always be people with individual responces to it ( like all drugs). It tends to help you not to feel so hungry/ feel 'full' quicker.

It was originaly designed as an antidepressant. When they tested it, they found that it wasn't much good as and AD, but the people on it reported losing weight etc! So they developed it for that reason.

suejonezisalwaysscarynotjustat · 17/10/2006 12:41

I know that you find it hard to beleive but you are really not big enough to be taking a drug like reductil. My BMI is 42 and I would think about 15 times before going on it. Not only does it play havoc with your blood pressure which is not a good idea if you are overweight but there is also evidence that the weight tends to go bac on when you stop taking it. I beleive that it is not safe to take for more tan one year, which won't get you very far.

Disagree with Furball: it is not as simple as "eat less exercise more", of course that works but if you felt you could do that you would presumably be doing it. You need to get to grips with why you aren't able to do that - diets don't work for serious weight problems (anything more than 3 stone in my book, depending on your height), it's a bit like sticking a plaster on a broken leg.

Agree with Furball: there is plenty of support on here. If you decide to try and do it the hard way but do it for life, try BigMoFo's which was set up for the seriously overweight amongst us, it is the overweight online equivalent of AA! There are also other threads - read a few and choose one you will be comfortable with.

I know that we are all looking for a quick fix but beleive me, you will feel so much better taking the initiative yourself.

geekgrrl · 17/10/2006 13:49

I think dh's problem isn't overeating but lack of exercise during the week (3 hours in the car, 8 hours at desk, helping to put the children to bed doesn't leave much time ).
Maybe Reductil works better for overeaters?

Blandmum · 17/10/2006 13:52

I think that it probably does....it affects the amounts of neurotransmitters between nerve cells.

Original poster
bunny75 · 18/10/2006 11:06

Hi...thanks again for all your views. Suejonez, I totally see where u r coming from, and i would feel better if i try something without help, but as you said, for many of us it isnt just as simple as eat less exercise more. some of us have very slow metabolisms, and even with regular workouts at the gym and a healthier diet, i feel better, but dont necissarily lose much weight. i will give bigmofo a look today when i get back from the school. thanx

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