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Metabolism-boosting pills for weight loss

Medical expert of the article

Endocrinologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

Anyone who has ever looked for ways to quickly and effectively eliminate excess body weight knows that excess weight is the result of improper metabolism, poor diet and low physical activity. And to influence this process, you need metabolism-boosting pills for weight loss.

ATC classification

A16AX Прочие препараты для лечения заболеваний ЖКТ и нарушений обмена веществ

Pharmacological group

Для похудения

Indications metabolism-boosting pills

The tablets are indicated for use in primary obesity, in which the BMI may be 30+ kg/m2 , or 27+ kg/m2 ( if it is combined with other risk factors that arise as a result of excess weight (diseases such as insulin-dependent or type 2 diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia)).

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Release form

In this article we will look at the most popular products that speed up metabolism.

Xenical is available in 120 mg capsules. One pack of tablets may contain 1, 2 or 4 blister packs. One blister contains 21 capsules.

Reduksin is released in the form of blister packs containing 10 tablets each.

Turboslim is available in 20 or 60 tablets on 1 blister pack.

Names of pills that speed up metabolism for weight loss

There are a number of medications that help remove fat and speed up the metabolism process, and they work without additional measures in the form of diets and various restrictions. Among them are the following drugs:

  • Reduksin and Goldline help influence the saturation center, prolong the action of the hormone responsible for satiety, have a lipolytic effect and accelerate metabolic processes;
  • Xenical and Orsoten block the digestive enzyme that promotes the absorption of fats – lipase;
  • Dietary supplements such as Turboslim, as well as LiDa, or MCC, etc. have diuretic and laxative properties, help cleanse the intestines and liver, and also thin the blood.

The properties of weight loss pills that speed up metabolism are discussed using the drug Reduksin as an example.

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Pharmacodynamics

A combination drug used to treat obesity. Its active ingredient is sibutramine, a prodrug that acts in vivo through metabolic products (primary and secondary amines) that suppress the process of monoamine reuptake (mainly norepinephrine and serotonin). Due to the increased content of neurotransmitters in synapses, the activity of the central nerve fibers of serotonin increases along with adrenergic receptors, resulting in a feeling of satiety, a decrease in the need for food, and in addition, an increase in heat production. Sibutramine indirectly triggers the action of β3-adrenergic receptors, thereby affecting brown adipose tissue. Along with weight loss, a decrease in triglycerides is observed, as well as an increase in the level of HDL in the blood serum. The level of LDL, total cholesterol and uric acid also decreases.

Sibutramine, together with its metabolic products, does not affect the process of monoamine release, and does not suppress MAO. In addition, it has no affinity for most neurotransmitter receptors, including serotonin, adrenergic receptors, and in addition benzodiazepine, dopamine, histamine, muscarinic, and NMDA receptors.

MCC is an enterosorbent that has a sorption effect and also has a non-specific detoxifying effect. It helps to bind and, in addition, remove the products of activity of various microorganisms, as well as allergens, toxins of internal or external nature, xenobiotics. In addition, it removes excess of individual metabolites and metabolic products that respond to the occurrence of endogenous toxicosis.

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Pharmacokinetics

After taking the drug, sibutramine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, at least by 77%. It then undergoes the effect of persystemic metabolism in the liver, and then is biotransformed with the participation of the 3A4 CYP3A4 isoenzyme, resulting in 2 active metabolites (mono- and didesmethylsibutramine). The first, at a single dose of 15 mg, has a maximum concentration of 4 ng / milliliter (3.2-4.8 ng / milliliter), and the second - 6.4 ng / milliliter (5.6-7.2 ng / milliliter). The maximum concentration in the blood of sibutramine is achieved after 1.2 hours, and active metabolic products - after 3-4 hours. In case of simultaneous use with food, the maximum concentration of metabolites decreases by 30%, and the time to reach this indicator increases by 3 hours (AUC does not change). Distribution in tissues occurs quickly. Sibutramine binds to plasma proteins by 97%, and mono- and didesmethylsibutramine by 94%. The active metabolic products reach equilibrium concentration in blood plasma 4 days after the start of therapy. This indicator is almost 2 times higher than the plasma level after a single dose.

The half-life of sibutramine is 1.1 h, and that of monodesmethylsibutramine and didesmethylsibutramine is 14 and 16 h, respectively. Conjugation and hydroxylation of active metabolites occur, resulting in inactive metabolites that are excreted from the body mainly through the kidneys.

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Dosing and administration

Xenical should be taken 1 tablet (120 mg) with the main daily meal (during the meal or at least an hour after it). If a meal is missed or if the meal does not contain fat, the drug may be skipped.

Reduksin should be taken 1 time per day. Dosages are determined individually, it depends on the clinical effect, as well as tolerability. At the beginning of treatment, a dosage of 10 mg is recommended, but if poor tolerability is detected, the dose can be reduced to 5 mg. Tablets are taken in the morning, they do not need to be chewed, only washed down with water. The medicine is allowed to be taken on an empty stomach or combined with food. If after 4 weeks from the start of therapy there is no weight loss of 5+%, the dosage should be increased to 15 mg / day.

Turboslim is taken 1 time/day, 2 tablets before meals. The duration of treatment should be at least 1 month. If necessary, the course can be repeated.

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Use metabolism-boosting pills during pregnancy

Drugs that speed up metabolic processes and are used for weight loss are prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Contraindications to taking Reduksin include:

  • Pheochromocytoma;
  • Obesity caused by somatic diseases (for example, hypothyroidism);
  • Severe eating disorders (such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa);
  • Thyrotoxicosis;
  • Psychopathologies;
  • Tourette's disease (or generalized tic);
  • Taking with MAO inhibitors (such as ephedrine, phentermine, and also fenfluramine, ethylamphetamine, and also dexfenfluramine) or taking them 2 weeks before starting to take Reduksin; taking other medications that affect the central nervous system (these can be neuroleptics or antidepressants); medications that are prescribed for sleep problems (which contain the substance tryptophan), and also other drugs that reduce weight, with a central effect;
  • IHD, and also chronic heart failure, congenital heart defects, various arrhythmias, tachycardia, occlusive diseases of the peripheral arteries, cerebrovascular pathologies (transient ischemic attack or stroke);
  • Uncontrolled increase in blood pressure (more than 145/90);
  • Severe liver or kidney dysfunction;
  • Closed-angle glaucoma;
  • Confirmed diagnosis of addiction (to alcohol, drugs or medications);
  • Benign form of prostatic hyperplasia;
  • Age under 18 or over 65 years;
  • Known hypersensitivity to sibutramine or other components of the drug.

Xenical should not be taken in case of cholestasis or chronic malabsorption syndrome.

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Side effects metabolism-boosting pills

Side effects of Reduksin:

CNS and PNS organs: mainly insomnia and dry mouth; sometimes headaches, taste disturbances, anxiety, dizziness, and paresthesia are possible; in some cases, a state of drowsiness, depression, irritability or anxiety, and nervousness may occur. In addition, convulsions, back pain, emotional instability.

Cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, increased heart rate, and vasodilation occur quite rarely.

Digestive system organs: mainly constipation and loss of appetite; in addition, in some cases, exacerbation of hemorrhoidal processes or nausea.

Skin reactions: occasionally sweating, and in some cases itching or skin hemorrhages.

General reactions: in some cases the following disorders may occur: swelling, thirst, runny nose, bleeding, dysmenorrhea, acute interstitial nephritis, decreased platelet count.

Among the side effects of Xenical: they mainly arise from the gastrointestinal tract due to the pharmacological properties of the drug, which prevents the absorption of dietary fats. In most cases, patients noted the appearance of oily discharge from the rectum, gas, urgent urge to defecate, increased frequency of this process, as well as fecal incontinence and steatorrhea. Basically, these reactions were mild and transient. They usually appeared at an early stage of therapy (the first 3 months), and in most cases, patients experienced a maximum of one episode of such a reaction.

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Interactions with other drugs

Interaction of Reduksin: inhibitors of monooxygenase oxidation, including inhibitors of the 3A4 cytochrome P450 enzyme (these are substances such as ketoconazole, cyclosporine, and erythromycin), increase the concentration of sibutramine metabolism products in the plasma, while also increasing the heart rate and QT interval (clinically insignificant).

Rifampicin, as well as antibiotics belonging to the macrolide group, and in addition to them phenytoin, phenobarbital, dexamethasone and carbamazepine accelerate the process of metabolism of the substance sibutramine.

In case of combined administration of several drugs that increase the content of serotonin in the blood, the so-called serotonin syndrome may occur. It occasionally occurs as a result of combining Reduksin with SSRIs (drugs that treat depression), as well as individual migraine medications (such drugs as sumatriptan or dihydroergotamine). In addition, it may occur in case of combination with strong painkillers (pethidine, pentazocine, and fentanyl) or cough medicines (for example, dextromethorphan). Sibutramine does not affect the activity of oral contraception.

The combined use of ethanol and sibutramine did not show any increase in the negative impact of ethanol on the body. However, drinking alcoholic beverages while taking sibutramine for diet is strictly prohibited.

When taking Xenical, it is important to consider the possibility that absorption of β-carotene, as well as vitamins A and D, and E and K, may be reduced. Weight loss resulting from Xenical therapy may increase metabolic compensation in people with diabetes, which may require a reduction in the dosage of oral glucose-lowering medications.

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Storage conditions

Weight loss pills that speed up metabolic processes should be kept in a place closed to children, moisture and sunlight. The temperature should not exceed 25°C.

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Shelf life

Medicines of this type can be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture.

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Doctors' reviews

Doctors' opinions are divided regarding the safety and effectiveness of drugs containing sibutramine.

One part considers such drugs to be more dangerous than effective, because they negatively affect the human psyche, as well as the work of the heart. In defense of their theory, doctors present the following fact - such pills are prohibited in some countries, such as Canada, the USA and Australia.

The second part believes that if the drugs are taken correctly, the dosage and doctor's recommendations are followed, they can really help get rid of excess weight, and completely safely. As proof, examples from the lives of people who took the pills, lost weight, and are not experiencing any problems now are given.

Such a difference in doctors' reviews should not be surprising, because sibutramine is a potent drug, so it can affect each organism differently. If you do not take into account some contraindication, there will be no result. If you exceed the recommended dose, side effects will begin. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the advice of your doctor in everything and not try to treat yourself.

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Reviews from those who have lost weight

Pills that speed up metabolism for weight loss are quite popular. Therefore, there are many reviews from people who were able to lose weight with the help of such drugs.

"My progress is not as impressive as many others, but I can also boast of positive changes in my weight that occurred with the help of Reduksin. Without any additional measures, I started taking these pills, and my weight began to decrease - 4 kg went away last month, and already 2 this month. Therefore, I think that this medicine is really effective - you can really lose weight with its help."

"I gained 20 extra kilos after giving birth. I started taking Xenical, as well as following a diet and doing shaping - as a result, the extra weight went away in 6 months. These pills were prescribed to me by an endocrinologist."

"Xenical really helps. In 3 months, my sister lost 10 extra kilos, just taking a pill once a day after a very heavy dinner. During the day, she tried to eat only fruits and vegetables. And the result was achieved. If you have no desire to exercise or do not have time for it, then Xenical is for you."


Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Metabolism-boosting pills for weight loss" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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