Mysimba

What is Mysimba?

Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that works in the brain to alter feelings of hunger and how your body spends energy. You’ll start off on a low dose of one tablet per day, and gradually increase this to two tablets twice a day over the first four weeks.

When it’s used alongside a calorie controlled diet and regular exercise, it can be very effective at helping people lose weight. In clinical trials, people taking Mysimba had a ‘mean’ (average) weight loss of 5.4% when taking it over 54 weeks, and a mean weight loss of 8.1% when it was combined with behavioural counselling.

Mysimba is a medicine that’s only available on prescription, so you’ll need to have a consultation with us about it before you use it.

How does Mysimba work?

Mysimba weight loss tablets contain naltrexone and bupropion, and these work on the specific area of the brain that controls how much food you eat and how energy is spent. By affecting cravings for food, it makes it less likely you’ll overeat, which can lead to significant weight loss if you make adjustments to your lifestyle too.

The ingredient bupropion is also used in some antidepressant medications, as well as a popular stop smoking treatment called Zyban. So Mysimba is quite different to the weight loss tablet Orlistat, which affects how much fat you take up from food.

Is Mysimba effective?

Mysimba has been shown to work well in clinical trials, and be even more effective when used alongside weight loss management counselling. In a study of people taking it over 56 weeks, there was an average weight loss of 5.4%, and an average weight loss of 8.1% in people who also had behavioural support.

In a combined analysis of studies, up to 42% of people taking Mysimba over 56 weeks lost at least 5% of their body weight, and up to 22% lost 10% of their body weight. So it has proven to be effective for a sizeable portion of people that take it.

How to take Mysimba pills

Read the leaflet that comes with the medication before you take Mysimba. If there’s anything you aren’t sure about, let us know.

• During week one of treatment, take one tablet once a day in the morning.
• During week two, take one tablet twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening
• During week three, take two tablets in the morning and one in the evening.
• From week four onwards, take two tablets in the morning and two in the evening.
• Simply swallow the tablet whole with water, without crushing or breaking them.
• It’s better to take them with or after a meal and not on an empty stomach.
• You’ll normally have your weight monitored as the course progresses to make sure it’s working for you.

What should I do if I forget to take Mysimba?

If you forget your Mysimba dose, don’t worry – just take your next dose as normal and continue the course. Don’t take double the amount at your next dose, because this won’t have any benefit and increases the risk of side effects. If you’re having trouble remembering to take the medication, you might find it useful to set a daily reminder to take it at specific times, or take it with a specific meal each day.

What should I do if I take too much Mysimba?

If you’ve taken too much Mysimba, you should seek immediate medical attention. Go to your nearest hospital and take your Mysimba packaging with you if possible. Taking the tablets at the same time each day can help you to remember when to take your tablet and prevent you from taking too much by accident.