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Meridia

Drug class – Oral appetite suppressant
Brand Names: Meridia

Meridia is the brand name for the generic drug Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate. It is an appetite suppressant which is used as a short-term treatment of obesity. This oral prescription diet pill is used for the medical management of obesity, including weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss and should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet.

Meridia works with the help of the active ingredient sibutramine, which affects chemicals in the body that are related to weight maintenance. Since approved by the FDA in 1997, Meridia has been largely popular among the consumers who want to achieve quick weight loss by healthy eating plan, behavior modification, and a regular exercise schedule. But it is necessary that you maintain the diet program and exercise schedule regularly even after you stop taking Meridia so as to prevent the lost weight from coming back.

How to use

Meridia should be taken only on consultation with a doctor to guard against possible side effects and probable drug interactions.
Meridia is usually taken once a day with or without food. But care should be taken that the diet pill is not crushed or chewed contemplating side effects.
Meridia is mainly used in the short term treatment of obesity. It is not a substitute for diet and should not be used for more than 8 to 12 weeks.
Meridia is only to be administered as a prescription medication to assist with the battle of obesity and should not be used for "cosmetic" weight loss.

Side Effects

The initial adjustment: As your body adjusts to the medication, you may face the most common side effects - headache, dry mouth, anorexia, constipation and insomnia during the first few days. Side effects may also include skin abnormalities, insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, personality changes, and psychosis, leg cramps and painful menstruation.

What to avoid: Meridia may cause dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or restlessness. In such cases avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.

Consult a doctor: Consult your doctor if these effects persist or you experience a pounding heart, migraine, hypertension, an allergic reaction (short of breath, closing of your throat, swellings of your lips, tongue, face; or hive), blood in your urine or stool; bloody gums, seizures etc.

Drug interaction

Consult your doctor and inform about all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use.
Meridia stands the chance of interacting with certain decongestants, cough, cold, and allergy medications that contain agents such as ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine. Therefore, caution should be taken on the use of this drug for such patients.
Notify your doctor before taking Didrex if you are suffering from hypertension and are on drugs like guanethidine (Ismelin) as Didrex is said to reduce its effect thus causing an elevation in blood pressure levels.
Do not take Meridia if you on monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) used for the treatment of depression or Parkinson's disease, even in the last 14 days.
It should also be avoided if you are on medications for eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, or any other weight loss medications.
Sibutramine in Meridia may interact with other medicines and cause a condition called Serotonin Syndrome which causes symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, weakness, tremor, poor coordination, fever, shivering, sweating, vomiting, a throbbing heart, etc.

Precautions

It is advisable to consult a doctor before taking Didrex if you are affected by conditions like hypertension, glaucoma, diabetes, depression, thyroid problems etc.
Cut down alcohol intake when using Meridia.
Meridia should not be used by women with a history of coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or stroke.
Meridia should not be taken by pregnant woman since FDA has put Sibutramine in the pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if Sibutramine will cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
Meridia should not also be used by lactating mothers. Though not clinically proved, there is possibility that this diet pill may be passed into breast milk. Therefore, consult your doctor for you may have to stop nursing or stop using this drug.
Meridia may substantially increase blood pressure in some patients. Therefore, it should be given with caution to those patients with a history of hypertension. However, Patients with acute cases of hypertension should refrain from using the drug.

Dosage

The recommended initial starting dose of Meridia is one 10 mg capsule per day. However, your doctor will determine the starting dose that is best for you.
The doctor may recommend increasing the dose to 15 mg if significant weight loss is not detected. However, Meridia may be discontinued if no changes in results are noticed.
In any case, Meridia diet pills are strictly advised to be used only under medical supervision so as to prevent probable drug interaction and possible side-effects.
The dosage for the drug varies from person to person depending upon the body metabolism.

Overdose: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Meridia overdose include restlessness, an irregular heartbeat high blood pressure.

Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is too late or almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day will cause insomnia. Never take a double dose of this medication.

Storage
Meridia diet pill should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep away from the reach of children.

Important note
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be interpreted to indicate that use of the drug is safe, apt, or effectual for you. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before using this drug.