Reductil is officially off the shelves.

After the completion of a review over the safety and effectiveness of Reductil, the Department of Health has decided to suspend the sale of the weight-loss product, and 14 other drugs that have the same kind of ingredient, which is believed to cause heart problems.

The Department of Health has announced the anti-obesity drug, Reductil, is banned in Taiwan for containing the ingredient "sibutramine" which increases the risks of heart attacks and strokes.

The manufacturer, Abbott Laboratory, is required to withdraw the product within a month.

Also, sales of other 14 slimming drugs containing "sibutramine" are also suspended after the EU, U.S., Canada and Australia banned sibutramine-containing medicines in their countries several days ago.

Abbott Taiwan responds that the company will follow the DOH's policy and try to help patient who are taking Reductil find alternative medication with their doctors.

It is reported that 302 people in Taiwan felt ill after taking slimming drugs and around 115 among them suffer from cardiovascular problems.

Still, doctors suggest that it's best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.