Aim. To investigate the potential of sibutramine (Meridia®) therapy in patients with obesity and arterial hypertension (AH); to assess sibutramine effects on blood pressure (BP), organ protection and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with obesity and AH, in comparison to traditional antihypertensive therapy (AHT).Material and methods. This open clinical study included 50 patients, randomised by envelope method into two groups. Group I received Meridia® (10 mg/d), and Group II received

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... onal AHT for 12 weeks. All participants were aged 18-60 years, with body mass index >27 kg/m2. AHT was not modified during the study period. Inclusion criteria were Stage I-III AH, systolic BP (SBP) level 140-180 mm Hg, and no previous AHT At baseline and in the end of the study, all participants underwent 24-hour BP monitoring (BPM), echocardiography (EchoCG), blood biochemistry, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement, as well as 6-minute walk test, QoL assessment, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale administration. In men, erectile function was also assessed.Results. Compared to traditional AHT, Meridia® more effectively reduced SBP, diastolic BP, left ventricular myocardial mass and increased ejection fraction. No significant increase in HR was observed during Meridia® therapy. Meridia® was also associated with significant PVW reduction and improvement in flow-dependent vasodilatation, QoL, psycho-emotional status and erectile function in males.Conclusion. Sibutramine therapy in patients with obesity and AH improved hemodynamics, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, QoL, anthropometry and organ protection parameters more effectively than traditional AHT In patients with obesity and AH, short-term Meridia® therapy was associated with a reduction in systolic and diastolic BP, without any significant increase in HR.