Sibutramine

Sibutramine

Sibutramine (top),
(S)-(−)-sibutramine (bottom)
Clinical data
Trade names Meridia
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a601110
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: C
  • US: C (Risk not ruled out)
  • No human data exists; inconclusive evidence of teratogenic potential in animal studies
Routes of
administration
Oral (capsules)
ATC code A08AA10 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability Absorption 77%, considerable first-pass metabolism
Protein binding 97%, (94% for its desmethyl metabolites, M1 & M2)
Metabolism Hepatic (CYP3A4-mediated)
Biological half-life 1 hour (sibutramine), 14 hours (M1) & 16 hours (M2)
Excretion Urine (77%), feces (8%)
Identifiers
CAS Number 106650-56-0 YesY
PubChem (CID) 5210
IUPHAR/BPS 2586
DrugBank DB01105 YesY
ChemSpider 5021 YesY
UNII WV5EC51866 YesY
KEGG D08513 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL1419 YesY
ECHA InfoCard 100.130.097
Chemical and physical data
Formula C17H26ClN
Molar mass 279.85 g/mol
3D model (Jmol) Interactive image
  (verify)

Sibutramine (usually in the form of the hydrochloride monohydrate salt) is an oral anorexiant. Until 2010 it was marketed and prescribed as an adjunct in the treatment of exogenous obesity along with diet and exercise. It has been associated with increased cardiovascular events and strokes and has been withdrawn from the market in several countries and regions including Australia,[1] Canada,[2] China,[3] the European Union (EU),[4] Hong Kong,[5] India,[6] Mexico, New Zealand,[7] the Philippines,[8] Thailand,[9] the United Kingdom,[10] and the United States.[11]

Sibutramine is a centrally-acting serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) structurally related to amphetamines,[12] although its mechanism of action is distinct.[13]

Sibutramine was originally developed in 1988 by Boots in Nottingham, UK, [14] and marketed by Knoll Pharmaceuticals after BASF/Knoll AG purchased the Boots Research Division in 1995, and was most recently manufactured and marketed by Abbott Laboratories before its withdrawal from the market. It was sold under a variety of brand names including Reductil, Meridia, Siredia, and Sibutrex. It is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States.

Pharmacokinetics

Sibutramine is well absorbed from the GI tract (77%), but undergoes considerable first-pass metabolism, reducing its bioavailability. The drug itself reaches its peak plasma level after 1 hour and has also a half-life of 1 hour. Sibutramine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 isozyme CYP3A4 into two pharmacologically-active primary and secondary amines (called active metabolites 1 and 2) with half-lives of 14 and 16 hours, respectively. Peak plasma concentrations of active metabolites 1 and 2 are reached after three to four hours. The following metabolic pathway mainly results in two inactive conjugated and hydroxylated metabolites (called metabolites 5 and 6). Metabolites 5 and 6 are mainly excreted in the urine.

Pharmacodynamics

Sibutramine is a monoamine reuptake inhibitor (MRI) that, in humans, reduces the reuptake of norepinephrine (by 73%), serotonin (by 54%), and dopamine (by 16%),[15] thereby increasing the levels of these substances in synaptic clefts and helping enhance satiety; the serotonergic action, in particular, is thought to influence appetite. Older anorectic agents such as amphetamine and fenfluramine force the release of these neurotransmitters rather than affecting their reuptake.[13]

Despite having a mechanism of action similar to tricyclic antidepressants, sibutramine has failed to demonstrate antidepressant properties in animal studies. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 1997[16] for the treatment of obesity.

Sibutramine is reported to be a prodrug to active metabolites (characterized below as M1 and M2) with much greater potency as MRIs.[17][18]

Unlike various other serotonergic appetite suppressants, sibutramine and its metabolites have only low and likely inconsequential affinity for the 5-HT2C receptor.[15]

Transporter Ki (nM) for sibutamine[19] Ki (nM) for M1[19] Ki (nM) for M2[19]
SERT 298 15 20
NET 5451 20 15
DAT 943 49 45

Contraindications

Sibutramine is contraindicated in patients with:

Side effects

A higher number of cardiovascular events has been observed in people taking sibutramine versus control (11.4% vs. 10.0%).[21] In 2010 the FDA noted the concerns that sibutramine increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.[22]

Frequently encountered side effects are: dry mouth, paradoxically increased appetite, nausea, strange taste in the mouth, upset stomach, constipation, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, menstrual cramps/pain, headache, flushing, or joint/muscle pain.

Sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and heart rate in some patients.[23] Therefore, regular monitoring needs to be performed.

The following side effects are infrequent but serious and require immediate medical attention: cardiac arrhythmias, paresthesia, mental/mood changes (e.g., excitement, restlessness, confusion, depression, rare thoughts of suicide).

Symptoms that require urgent medical attention are seizures, problems urinating, abnormal bruising or bleeding, melena, hematemesis, jaundice, fever and rigors, chest pain, hemiplegia, abnormal vision, dyspnea and edema.

Currently, no case of pulmonary hypertension has been noted. (Fenfluramine, of the 1990s "Fen-Phen" combo, forced excess release of neurotransmitters—a different action. Phentermine was uninvolved in the rare—but clinically significant—heart issues of fenfluramine.)

Interactions

Sibutramine has a number of clinically significant interactions. The concomitant use of sibutramine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, such as selegiline) is not indicated, as it may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a somewhat rare but serious adverse drug reaction.[24] Sibutramine should not be taken within two weeks of stopping or starting an MAOI. Taking both sibutramine and certain medications used in the treatment of migraines—such as ergolines and triptans—as well as opioids, may also increase the risk for serotonin syndrome, as may the use of more than one serotonin reuptake inhibitor at the same time.[24]

The concomitant use of sibutramine and drugs which inhibit CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole and erythromycin, may increase plasma levels of sibutramine.[25] Sibutramine does not affect the efficacy of hormonal contraception.[24]

Safety concerns

Studies are ongoing into reports of sudden death, heart failure, renal failure and gastrointestinal problems. Despite a 2002 petition by Ralph Nader-founded NGO Public Citizen,[26] the FDA made no attempts to withdraw the drug, but was part of a Senate hearing in 2005.[27] Similarly, Dr. David Graham, FDA "whistleblower", testified before a Senate Finance Committee hearing that sibutramine may be more dangerous than the conditions it is used for.[28]

Between January 2003 and November 2005, a large randomized-controlled "Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcomes" (SCOUT) study with 10,742 patients examined whether or not sibutramine administered within a weight management program reduces the risk for cardiovascular complications in people at high risk for heart disease and concluded that use of silbutramine had a RR 1.16 for the primary outcome (composit of nonfatal MI, nonfatal CVA, cardiac arrest, and CV death).[29]

In a dissenting article, "Sibutramine: gone, but not forgotten", David Haslam (chairman of the National Obesity Forum) says that the SCOUT study is flawed as it only covered high-risk patients and did not consider obese patients who do not have cardiovascular complications or similar contraindications [30]

On January 21, 2010, the European Medicines Agency recommended suspension of marketing authorizations for sibutramine based on the SCOUT study results.[31]

In August 2010 the FDA added a new contraindication for patients over 65 years of age due to the fact that clinical studies of sibutramine did not include sufficient numbers of such patients.[20]

Abbott Laboratories announced on October 8, 2010 that it is withdrawing sibutramine from the US market under pressure from the FDA, citing concerns over minimal efficacy coupled with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events.[32]

Counterfeit weight-loss products

On December 22, 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued an alert to consumers naming 27 different products marketed as “dietary supplements” for weight loss, that illegally contain undisclosed amounts of sibutramine.[33][34] In March 2009, Dieter Müller et al. published a study of sibutramine poisoning cases from similar Chinese "herbal supplements" sold in Europe, containing as much as twice the dosage of the legally licensed drug.[35]

An additional 34 products were recalled by the FDA on April 22, 2009, further underscoring the risks associated with unregulated "herbal supplements" to unsuspecting persons. This concern is especially relevant to those with underlying medical conditions incompatible with undeclared pharmaceutical adulterants.[36] In January 2010, a similar alert was issued for counterfeit versions of the over-the-counter weight loss drug Alli sold over the Internet. Instead of the active ingredient orlistat, the counterfeit drugs contain sibutramine, and at concentrations at least twice the amount recommended for weight loss.[37]

In March 2010 Health Canada advised the public that illegal "Herbal Diet Natural" had been found on the market, containing sibutramine, which is a prescription drug in Canada, without listing sibutramine as an ingredient.[38] In October 2010 FDA notified consumers that "Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules contain the active pharmaceutical ingredient sibutramine, a prescription-only drug which is a stimulant. Sibutramine is not listed on the product label."[39]

In October 2010 the MHRA in the UK issued a warning regarding "Payouji tea" and "Pai You Guo Slim Capsules" which were found to contain undeclared quantities of sibutramine.[40]

On December 30, 2010 the FDA released a warning regarding "Fruta Planta" dietary products, which were found to contain undeclared amounts of sibutramine. The recall stated that "there is NO SAFE formula on the US market and that all versions of Fruta Planta contain sibutramine. All versions of the formula are UNSAFE and should not be purchased from any source."[41]

Some illegal weight loss products imported into Ireland have been found to contain sibutramine.[42][43] Similar concerns have been raised in Australia, where illegal imported supplements have been found to contain sibutramine, resulting in public alerts from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration.[44]

In October 2011, the FDA warned that 20 brands of dietary supplements were tainted with sibutramine.[45]

Detection in body fluids

Sibutramine and its two active N-demethylated metabolites may be measured in biofluids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma levels of these three species are usually in the 1–10 μg/L range in persons undergoing therapy with the drug. The parent compound and norsibutramine are often not detectable in urine, but dinorsibutramine is generally present at concentrations of >200 μg/L.[46][47][48]

References

  1. "Sibutramine (Reductil) - withdrawal in Australia". Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health, Australian Government. 2010. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  2. Health Canada Endorsed Important Safety Information on MERIDIA (Sibutramine Hydrochloride Monohydrate): Subject: Voluntary withdrawal of Meridia (sibutramine) capsules from the Canadian market.
  3. "Notification of Termination of Production, Sale, and Usage of Sibutramine Preparations and Their Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient". sda.gov in People's Republic of China. October 30, 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  4. (German) Sibutramin-Vertrieb in der Europäischen Union ausgesetzt . Abbott Laboratories in Germany. Press Release 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2010-01-27
  5. "De-registration of pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine" (Press release). info.gov in Hong Kong. November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  6. "Banned Medicines" (Press release). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. February 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  7. "Withdrawal of Sibutramine (Reductil) in New Zealand" (Press release). MedSafe in New Zealand. October 11, 2010. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
  8. "FDA warns online sellers of banned slimming pills". January 12, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  9. "Thai FDA reveals voluntary withdrawal of sibutramine from the Thai market" (PDF) (Press release). Food and Drug Administration of Thailand. October 20, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  10. "Top obesity drug sibutramine being suspended". BBC News. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  11. Rockoff, Jonathan D.; Dooren, Jennifer Corbett (October 8, 2010). "Abbott Pulls Diet Drug Meridia Off US Shelves". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  12. "New Drugs". Australian Prescriber. 25 (1): 22. 2002. PDF
  13. 1 2 Heal, D. J.; Aspley, S.; Prow, M. R.; Jackson, H. C.; Martin, K. F.; Cheetham, S. C. (1998). "Sibutramine: a Novel Anti-obesity Drug. A Review of the Pharmacological Evidence to Differentiate It from D-amphetamine and D-fenfluramine". International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 22 Suppl 1: S18–S28; discussion S28. PMID 9758240.
  14. Buckett, W R; Thomas, P C; Luscombe, G P (1988). "The pharmacology of sibutramine hydrochloride (BTS 54 524), a new antidepressant which induces rapid noradrenergic down-regulation". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 12 (5): 575–584. ISSN 0278-5846.
  15. 1 2 "Meridia (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) Capsules CIV. Full Prescribing Information" (PDF). Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL 60064, U.S.A. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  16. "FDA APPROVES SIBUTRAMINE TO TREAT OBESITY" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. November 24, 1997. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
  17. Kim, K A; Song, W K; Park, J Y (2009). "Association of CYP2B6, CYP3A5, and CYP2C19 Genetic Polymorphisms With Sibutramine Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Korean Subjects". Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 86 (5): 511–518. doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.145. ISSN 0009-9236.
  18. Hofbauer, Karl (2004). Pharmacotherapy of obesity : options and alternatives. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press. ISBN 0-415-30321-4.
  19. 1 2 3 Oh, Sangmi; Kim, Koon; Chung, Young; Shong, Minho; Park, Seung (2009). "Anti-obesity Agents: A Focused Review on the Structural Classification of Therapeutic Entities". Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 9 (6): 466–481. doi:10.2174/156802609788897862. ISSN 1568-0266.
  20. 1 2 3 The FDA August 2010 drug safety update
  21. "Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review of Meridia (sibutramine hydrochloride)".
  22. "Meridia (sibutramine hydrochloride): Follow-Up to an Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review".
  23. Siebenhofer A, Jeitler K, Horvath K, Berghold A, Siering U, Semlitsch T. Long-term effects of weight-reducing drugs in hypertensive patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD007654. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007654.pub3.
  24. 1 2 3 "Meridia Side Effects, and Drug Interactions". RxList.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
  25. (Portuguese) Cloridrato de sibutramina monoidratado. Bula. [Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate—label information]. Medley (2007).
  26. Wolfe, Sidney M.; Larry D. Sasich; Elizabeth Barbehenn (March 19, 2002). "Petition to FDA to ban the diet drug sibutramine (MERIDIA) (HRG Publication #1613)". Public Citizen. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
  27. Bruce Japsen (13 March 2005). "FDA weighs decision on Meridia; Health advisory likely for Abbott obesity drug". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. p. 1.
  28. Hearing of 17 November 2004. Related CBS news item 19 November 2004.
  29. Effect of sibutramine on cardiovascular outcomes in overweight and obese subjects. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:905-917September 2, 2010 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1003114
  30. http://www.practicaldiabetesinternational.com/SpringboardWebApp/userfiles/espdi/file/Ldr%20Haslam_Layout%201.pdf
  31. Press Release, European Medicines Agency, January 21, 2010
  32. Pollack, Andrew (October 8, 2010). "Abbott Labs Withdraws Meridia From Market". The New York Times.
  33. "FDA warns consumers about tainted weight loss pills" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 22 December 2008.
  34. "Consumer directed questions and answers about FDA's initiative against contaminated weight loss products". U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. 22 December 2008.
  35. Müller, D.; Weinmann, W.; Hermanns-Clausen, M. (2009). "Chinese slimming capsules containing sibutramine sold over the Internet: a case series". Deutsches Arzteblatt international. 106 (13): 218–222. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2009.0218. PMC 2680571Freely accessible. PMID 19471631.
  36. 34 weight loss products recalled, WebMD, 22 April 2009.
  37. "Fake Alli diet pills can pose health risks". CNN.com. January 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  38. "Herbal diet product poses heart risk". CBC News. March 26, 2010.
  39. http://www.drugs.com/fda/slimming-beauty-bitter-orange-slimming-capsules-undeclared-ingredient-12830.html#ixzz126K59G3L
  40. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON096957
  41. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm238495.htm
  42. Pope, Conor. "Seizures of illegal medicines rise". The Irish Times.
  43. http://www.drugs.com/fda/slim-xtreme-herbal-slimming-capsule-undeclared-ingredient-12959.html
  44. http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicine-majestic-slimming-capsules-121109.htm
  45. "'Natural' diet pills tainted with banned prescription drug", Linda Carroll, MSNBC, October 19, 2011
  46. Jain DS, Subbaiah G, Sanyal M, et al. Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry validated method for the simultaneous quantification of sibutramine and its primary and secondary amine metabolites in human plasma and its application to a bioequivalence study. Rapid Comm. Mass Spec. 20: 3509-3521, 2006.
  47. Thevis M, Sigmund G, Schiffer AK, Schänzer W. Determination of N-desmethyl- and N-bisdesmethyl metabolites of Sibutramine in doping control analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Eur. J. Mass Spec. 12: 129-136, 2006.
  48. R. Baselt, Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 8th edition, Biomedical Publications, Foster City, CA, 2008, pp. 1426–1427.
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