Randomized placebo-controlled trial of long-term treatment with sibutramine in mild to moderate obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The researchers assessed the long-term weight reduction efficacy, tolerability, and safety of sibutramine used once daily in conjunction with behavior modification to treat mild to moderate obesity.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled parallel-group comparative study of sibutramine 10 mg or 15 mg (or placebo) once daily for 1 year, given with dietary advice.

POPULATION: A total of 485 obese men and women with uncomplicated obesity were included (mean age=42 years, mean body mass index=32.7 kg/m2).

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes were mean weight loss, percentage losing more than 5% or 10% of their body weight, and adverse drug effects.

RESULTS: Among patients completing the study, those taking sibutramine 10 mg or 15 mg had greater mean weight loss compared with placebo at 12-month assessment (P < or = .001). Changes in body weight from baseline to end point were -1.6 kg for those taking placebo, -4.4 kg for those taking sibutramine 10 mg (P < or =.01, last observation carried forward [LOCF]), and -6.4 kg for those taking sibutramine 15 mg (P < or =.001, LOCF). For placebo patients, 20% lost 5% or more of their body weight compared with 39% of patients taking sibutramine 10 mg and 57% taking sibutramine 15 mg. Only 7% of the patients taking placebo lost 10% or more of their body weight, compared with 19% taking sibutramine 10 mg and 34% taking sibutramine 15 mg (P <.001 for both 10 mg and 15 mg vs placebo, and for both > or =5% and > or =10%).

CONCLUSIONS: Sibutramine 10 mg or 15 mg once daily given with dietary advice produces and maintains statistically and clinically significantly greater weight loss than dietary advice alone (placebo) throughout a 12-month treatment period, and is safe and well tolerated.