Mysimba

Mysimba tablets only have one use and this is weight loss. You can be prescribed Mysimba weight loss tablets if you’re overweight and are struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

Your doctor may also recommend Mysimba diet pills if you have another health condition that is caused by your weight, or is more dangerous if you’re overweight.

Mysimba tablets can help you lose weight safely, without going on any ‘fad diets’.

The benefits of taking Mysimba tablets include:

• losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight
• a less frustrating weight loss experience, especially if you find it difficult to deal with hunger while reducing your calorie intake
• feeling less hungry, which makes it easier to reduce snacking and decrease your appetite levels over time
• reducing the risk of health conditions that are more likely if you’re overweight or obese, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes

Mysimba is a prescription-only medication, which means that a doctor has to assess you to make sure it’s safe to take it. This is because it may react with certain medications, or may not be suitable if you have certain conditions. Your doctor will review your health, weight, and any other medications you are taking before prescribing Mysimba tablets.

The usual starting dose of Mysimba is 1 tablet each morning. After 4 weeks, this increases to 1 tablet twice a day. Your doctor may prescribe up to 4 tablets daily, but only follow the dosage they recommend. Take Mysimba with water, preferably with food, and stick to the prescribed dosage, typically taken once or twice daily.

What should you do if you miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it—never take a double dose.

Does Mysimba work immediately?

As soon as you start taking Mysimba tablets, they will start to work. It will take a little time for the active ingredients to build up in your system and for you to see weight loss results, but you should start to notice their effect within the first few days.

How long can you take Mysimba for?

You can take Mysimba for as long as a doctor agrees it’s helpful for you. You’ll be monitored by your doctor to check your Mysimba tablets are working and are helping you to lose weight.

Can you just stop taking Mysimba?

You should try to wait at least 4 months before stopping Mysimba tablets, as it’s been shown that they take around this long to reach their full effect. Although, you should stop right away if you experience serious side effects. See the ‘Mysimba side effects section’ for more information on this. If you are not having serious side effects and you want to stop taking Mysimba, speak to your doctor first.

Mysimba weight loss tablets may be suitable for you if:

• you’re over 18
• you have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or above
• you have a BMI of 27 to 30, and are at risk of developing diabetes or other conditions related to being overweight

Mysimba tablets, like all medications, can cause side effects. This is why your Mysimba dosage is increased gradually, to minimise the risk of side effects like nausea and headaches.

Common Mysimba side effects include:

• anxiety
• constipation
• dizziness
• headaches
• hot flushes
• insomnia
• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)
• heart palpitations
• tiredness
• taste changes
• tinnitus
• changes in blood pressure
• itching
• rashes
• sweating
• hair loss

If you get any of these Mysimba side effects, you should speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Mysimba without speaking to your doctor first.

Uncommon Mysimba side effects include:

• hypersensitivity
• abnormal dreams, agitation and mood swings
• balance disorders
• amnesia
• tremors
• motion sickness
• abdominal discomfort
• indigestion
• burping or belching
• hepatic enzyme increase
• gallbladder inflammation
• changes to your kidney blood tests
• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• an increase in thirst and appetite
• urticarial skin rash

Rare Mysimba side effects include:

• jaw pain
• dehydration
• irregular periods
• chest pain
• fever
• blood and lymphatic system disorders
• hallucinations
• loss of consciousness
• lip swelling and toothache
• seizures (fits)
• bleeding from your back passage
• hernias
• abdominal pain
• changes to how often you pass urine
• vaginal dryness, bleeding, and changes to your periods

If you get any of these side effects after taking Mysimba, you should speak to a doctor urgently.

Stop taking your Mysimba tablets and see a doctor straight away if you experience serious side effects such as:

• difficulty breathing
• dizziness or loss of consciousness
• an allergic rash
• chest pain
• seizures
• hallucinations
• severe upper abdominal pain
• mouth or lip swelling
• suicidal thoughts
• serotonin syndrome
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue which can lead to kidney issues)

Find more information about side effects and Mysimba in your patient information leaflet.

What to do if you get Mysimba side effects

Most Mysimba side effects should go away as your body gets used to the medication, but you should always let your doctor know if you’re experiencing them. If you’re getting serious side effects that are unmanageable or you’re worried you’re having an allergic reaction to Mysimba, you should go to the hospital or call 999.

Mysimba side effects can usually be managed at home. For instance, if you feel sick or are throwing up while taking Mysimba, try to eat smaller portions, avoid fatty, greasy meals and keep hydrated. You can also take painkillers alongside Mysimba if you get a headache.

How long do Mysimba side effects last?

This is different for everyone. You may only notice Mysimba side effects for the first few weeks, but they can last a few months. Your doctor can lower your Mysimba dosage if you’re getting bothersome side effects.

Some people get no Mysimba side effects at all. Most side effects are mild and should go away after a while.

Mysimba is generally safe if a doctor has approved treatment for you. However Mysimba is not safe for everyone and it may not be right for you if you have an existing health condition.

Mysimba contraindications

You should not take Mysimba tablets if you:

• are pregnant or trying to conceive
• have a history of an eating disorder
• suffer from severe liver or kidney disease
• experience uncontrolled hypertension
• have ever had a seizure
• have a nervous system tumour
• experience benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal
• use opiates or certain other medications like some antidepressants
• take concomitant treatment containing bupropion or naltrexone

Mysimba tablets may not be suitable for people who:

• have a history of bipolar disorder
• are taking certain antidepressants
• have a history of depression

Mysimba is not recommended for elderly over age 75 and doctors will prescribe with caution if you are over the age of 65.

Speak to a doctor or call 111 or 999 straight away if you have any thoughts about harming yourself or others while taking Mysimba.

Is Mysimba dangerous?

Mysimba is considered safe when prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider, but it may carry risks for certain individuals.

Your doctor will always make sure that a medication is safe for you to take before prescribing it. You can also speak to a doctor if you get any Mysimba side effects that worry you.

“It’s natural to feel a bit worried when taking a medication for the first time. You don’t know how you might react and you may experience some side effects. Remember that a doctor would only approve treatment if they thought it was safe for you and you can always contact them if you have any concerns about the safety of your medication.” – Dr Babak Ashrafi, Clinical Lead for Service Expansion.

Mysimba tablets may not be suitable for you if you take:

• antidepressants
• opioid analgesics like codeine, morphine, or tramadol
• drugs metabolised by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes
• anti-epileptics
• medication for HIV
• antiplatelet medication
• medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease

Always let your doctor know about any medication you are currently taking before starting Mysimba diet pills. This is to make sure Mysimba won’t interact with these.

Mysimba and alcohol

You shouldn’t take Mysimba if you’re a heavy drinker and have just stopped, or are planning to stop while taking Mysimba. This is because you’re more likely to get serious side effects, such as a seizure or mental health disorder. Mysimba can also reduce your alcohol tolerance.

Your doctor may recommend avoiding alcohol or only drinking small amounts while taking Mysimba. If you currently drink a lot of alcohol and haven’t disclosed this to your doctor, speak to them straight away.

Each Mysimba tablet contains 2 active ingredients: naltrexone hydrochloride (8 mg) and bupropion hydrochloride (90 mg). The combination of naltrexone/bupropion has been found to be an effective weight loss treatment.

Naltrexone binds to opioid receptors which causes you to feel fewer food cravings and reduces your appetite. Bupropion binds to norepinephrine and dopamine receptors, having an antidepressant effect that also helps reduce appetite.

Patient reviews can be a good way of seeing how other people have experienced Mysimba treatment. Mysimba tablets are rated:

• 5 out of 5 on webmd.com (but the number of reviews is currently low)
• 6.6 out of 10 on drugs.com, with over 1,500 reviews so far

Mysimba tablets have been found to be an effective way to lose weight, especially while following a diet and exercise regime.

The only way to know for sure if Mysimba weight loss tablets are a good choice for you is by giving them a go or speaking to one of our doctors. We’ll make sure Mysimba is right for you before approving treatment.