Description
Mysimba is a medication used in conjunction with exercise and diet to help with weight loss and the management of obesity in adults. It is commonly used for people who are considered to be obese: i.e. who have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more.
Mysimba contains two main active ingredients: naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride which work on the brain to reduce cravings and hunger. This medicine is only suitable for adults over 18 years of age and must be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
Mysimba is approved by the European Health Commission.
What is Mysimba?
Mysimba is a slow release medicine which assists with weight loss in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and a regular exercise program. It contains the two main ingredients naltrexone and bupropion which work on the brain to reduce the desire to eat. When we eat the brain induces a feeling of reward and positive stimuli. So when we overeat the brain continues to give us that feeling of reward, which is one reason why some people eat too much and find it difficult to manage their food intake.
Naltrexone is formally known as a mu-opioid antagonist and bupropion is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Naltrexone affects the cravings to eat that we sometimes get even if we are not hungry. Bupropion is an appetite suppressant which means it stops you feeling hungry and so you eat less.
Note that bupropion is also an ingredient contained in some anti-depressants and so it is not advisable to take Mysimba in conjunction with anti-depressant medication. Overeating (particularly of foods with high sugar and fat content) combined with a lack of exercise can cause obesity.
Mysimba is usually prescribed for people who are obese (dangerously overweight with a body mass index of 30 or more). Body mass index (BMI) depends on the individual and is calculated based on a person’s weight, height and age.
Obesity is a dangerous medical condition that can affect your health. It can increase the risk of some health conditions such as:
Type 2 diabetes
Heart problems
High blood pressure
Certain types of cancer
Arthritis
Obesity and weight gain can be caused by several factors including:
Overeating (particularly foods with high sugar and fat content)
Stress and anxiety
Depression
Some medications
Genetic history
A sedentary lifestyle (with the convenience of modern living we move less, walk less and do less exercise)
According to the World Health Organization, in 2016, 39% of women and 39% of men aged 18 and over were overweight worldwide.
Mysimba can assist with the management of weight gain and obesity if a person is not able to lose weight just with diet and exercise. Some people don´t burn calories as fast as others and this combined with poor eating habits and a lack of exercise can cause obesity, which can be dangerous for a person’s health.
When is Mysimba used?
Mysimba is used when a doctor believes a person needs medical intervention to help manage their weight. It is not available without a prescription. It should be used in conjunction with a suitable diet that is low in calories and alongside a regular exercise program.
How do you use Mysimba?
When you first take Mysimba you build up the dose gradually, so your body becomes accustomed to it. After four weeks you should have reached the regular balanced dose that your doctor has prescribed. They will also discuss with you (usually after sixteen weeks) how long you should take Mysimba for. If you are advised to take Mysimba by your doctor for more than sixteen weeks this should be reviewed annually.
The manufacturer of Mysimba suggests that a person should lose 5% of their overall body weight after sixteen weeks of taking this medicine. They also recommend treatment is discontinued if this is not the case.
Mysimba comes in tablet form in 8mg/90mg individual doses. Each tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone hydrochloride, which is the equivalent of 7.2 mg of naltrexone, and 90 mg of bupropion hydrochloride, which is the equivalent of 78 mg of bupropion. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water without chewing. The tablets should not be taken in conjunction with meals which have a high-fat content as there is the possibility the combination could cause an epileptic fit.
Mysimba should only be taken by adults over 18 years of age.
What dosages are there?
When starting Mysimba the common first dose is one tablet once a day in the morning.
Your doctor will advise you on the dose you should take, which is usually:
1st week: one tablet once a day in the morning
2nd week: one tablet twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening
3rd week: three tablets each day, two in the morning and one in the evening
4th week and beyond: two tablets twice a day, two in the morning and two in the evening
The maximum recommended dose per day of Mysimba is two tablets to be taken twice a day.
What are the side effects of Mysimba?
The most common side effects that may occur when taking Mysimba are:
Insomnia
Restlessness
Anxiety
Headache
Disturbance in concentration
Dizziness
Hot flushes
Palpitations
Constipation
Nausea
Muscular pain
Dry mouth
If you experience any of these side effects you should tell your doctor.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.