The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has banned the production and sale of anti obesity drug 'Sibutramine' and 'R-Sibutramine'.

The expert committee said that the ban on both the medicines has been introduced due to their side effects including heart attacks.

The DCGI said that the originator of the drug, US-based Abbott Laboratories has already pulled the drug from the local markets.

To look into the matter, an expert committee was formed to analyze the safety of the drug and to recommend an immediate step to be taken in the country.

On November 12, the committee decided to suspend the manufacturing and imports of the drug due to its associated risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke.

The drug Sibutramine is marketed under different brand names including Reductil, Meridia, Sibutral, Ectiva and Raductil in the US.

The medicine is also available in other generic version manufactured by around 20 companies, including Sun, Torrent and Mankind.

Other anti-obesity pill Rimonabant was also banned in March this year due to its adverse effects including depression and suicidal tendencies.