The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that the obesity drug sibutramine (marketed as Reductil) should be suspended until further notice.

This suspension was announced in January 2010 and follows a review by the European Medicines Agency. They have found that there is an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes from taking Reductil.

As a result of this they state that the risks outweigh the benefits of Reductil and that marketing authorisation should be suspended.

The MHRA advises that no new prescriptions for Reductil should be issued and that any patients taking this drug must be assessed for these risks.

They also advise pharmacists not to dispense Reductil and that anyone taking Reductil to consult their GP as soon as is convenient.

Any patient taking Reductil should discuss an alternative to this drug such as a diet and exercise programme. They need to consider other weight loss measures.

Previous guidelines by NICE recommended Reductil for cases of obesity in which there are particular circumstances. However, these guidelines have since been withdrawn. All healthcare professionals must follow advice given by MHRA.