Reductil is a medication used to help individuals who are obese – i.e. with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 – to lose weight. Before a doctor will prescribe Reductil to you, you must have previously tried to lose weight by modifying your diet and increasing the amount of physical activity you do.

People who are overweight (BMI > 27) might also be prescribed Reductil if they have a high risk of becoming obese. Factors which increase an overweight individual’s risk of obesity include:

• Diabetes;

• Hyperlipidaemia;

• Hypertension.

For more information on obesity, health and social issues, and methods of weight loss, as well as some useful tools, see Obesity and Weight Loss.