Sibutramine (trade name Meridia) is one of the latest generation of weight loss drugs and is designed to help people who are obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 +) lose weight. In some circumstances, it may be prescribed for people with BMIs of 27-30 when they have other conditions (such as diabetes or sleep apnea) that are aggravated by being overweight.

Like all weight loss pills, Sibutramine is designed to be used in combination with a sensible calorie-controlled weight-loss diet and a regular program of physical exercise.

Sibutramine weight loss pills act on serotonin levels in the brain to reduce hunger and provide a feeling of fullness. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenfluramine (part of fen-phen), the two medications that were taken off the market in 1997, also affected serotonin levels. However, Sibutramine affects serotonin levels in a different way than these earlier weight loss drugs. Clinical trials of Sibutramine have not detected an increase in heart or lung problems (which were seen with dexphenfluramine and fenfluramine.

However some side effects of the Sibutramine Weight Loss Pills are:

- increased blood pressure
- increased pulse
- headaches
- dry mouth
- constipation
- insomnia and other sleep problems

Another popular appetite suppressant that works the same but does not have any of these side effects and does not require a prescription would be Slimpulse.