Safety and efficacy of sibutramine in overweight Hispanic patients with hypertension

This 6-month randomized study evaluated the safety and efficacy of sibutramine in 57 overweight Hispanic patients with hypertension. Following a 2-week washout to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension, anti hypertensive medication was adjusted to achieve a blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg before institution of either sibutramine 10 mg or placebo once a day. A body mass index in excess of 27 kg/m(2) was required for entry. At study end, weight had changed from 75.4 +/- 9.6 to 70.0 +/- 9.5 kg in the sibutramine group and from 77.9 +/- 9.0 to 74.5 +/- 9.4 kg in the placebo group. In the sibutramine group, systolic blood pressure was 127.8 +/- 5.8 mm Hg after stabilization and 125.2 +/- 8.5 mm Hg after completion of the trial; respective values for diastolic blood pressure were 82.4 +/- 3.7 and 81.5 +/- 4.6 mm Hg. With placebo, blood pressure dropped from 129.0 +/- 7.1/80.9 +/- 4.9 mm Hg to 122.8 +/- 9.7/80.3 +/- 5.4 mm Hg at the same timepoints. In the sibutramine group, 14 patients reported 21 adverse events, most frequently headache (n=5), constipation (n=4), and dry mouth (n=4). In the placebo group, 13 patients had 20 adverse events. Sibutramine is safe and effective in overweight Hispanic patients with hypertension, but monitoring of blood pressure and titration of antihypertensive medication are necessary.