Meridia
Typical Brand Names: Meridia
Active Ingredients: Sibutramine
If a patient is seeking to lose more than 30 pounds, doctors have the option of prescribing Meridia. This medication is intended to be taken in conjunction with a diet program. Doctors will mostly likely require regular visits to check your blood pressure while taking Meridia to keep from letting your blood rise to dangerous levels.
| Medication Description and Quantity | PRICE (USD) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridia | 10 mg | 30 Capsules | $138.95 |
| Meridia | 10 mg | 60 Capsules | $248.95 |
| Meridia | 10 mg | 90 Capsules | $318.95 |
| Meridia | 15 mg | 30 Capsules | $149.00 |
| Meridia | 15 mg | 60 Capsules | $278.95 |
| Meridia | 15 mg | 90 Capsules | $378.95 |
Meridia Uses?
Your doctor can determine your BMI and will decide if you meet the criteria for use of Meridia. Meridia is recommended for overweight people with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or for overweight people with medical risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Diet pills like Merida appetite suppressant combined with proper eating and light exercise can help you control your weight.
Meridia Directions?
Meridia should be taken by mouth, usually once a day. Follow your doctorís instructions exactly. You will not see results for about 4 to 6 weeks. You should increase your own dose, take it more often than directed, or take it for a longer period of time than your doctor prescribed because this medication can be addictive. If you take this drug for a long period of time, do not suddenly stop taking it without a doctorís prior approval. Be aware that this drug can lose its effectiveness over time. Talk to your doctor if your weight increases. Take Meridia on an empty stomach or after youíve eaten.
Meridia Side Effects?
Some potential side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, sleeplessness, or constipation. If they last longer than a few days or if they become troublesome, speak with your doctor immediately.
Do not share your medication. Use this drug along side of a healthy diet. Expect your doctor to require regular blood pressure and pulse monitoring, and a few lab tests to make sure no negative side effects are occurring.
Meridia Warnings?
Tell your doctor of your entire medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow angle), or gallstones.
Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side effects of this medication. It is recommended that women of childbearing age discuss their use of birth control methods with their doctor. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Because of potential risk to infants, breast-feeding while taking this medication is not recommended. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.
Meridia Drug Interactions?
Your doctor needs to know about all over-the-counter and prescription medicines you use. They will be particularly interested in other weight loss drugs such as diethylpropion, and any drugs you take that could raise your blood pressure like decongestants (e.g., pseudophedrine or phenylpropanolamine).
Other drugs to tell your doctor about include MAO inhibitors like selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, psychiatric medications, lithium, antidepressants (nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), or tranylcypromine, and cough suppressants that contain dextromethorphan.
Also, drugs that make you drowsy like antihistamines (diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs, sedatives, high blood pressure, tryptophan, ketocanazole, narcotic pain relievers, particularly meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl, or drugs for migraines dihydroergotamine or sumatriptan are all drugs your doctor needs to be aware of.
If you take common decongestants, remember than the over-the-counter decongestants many consumers take actually contain antihistamines, so speak to your pharmacist. Because you should not take this drug at the same time as an MAO inhibitor, if you stop taking either this drug or the MAO inhibitor, you should wait 2 weeks before starting to take the other drug.
Meridia Missed Dose?
You should not skip a dose of Merida but if you happen to just skip that missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. If you miss your dose of Meridia, DO NOT take more or double the next dose.
Meridia Storage?
Store this medication at room temperature (between 59 to 86 F/15 to 30 C). Keep out of the sun and away from moisture. Always store your medication high enough that children canít reach.
Anything Else I Should Know About Meridia?
Meridia isnít supposed to be shared. It was created to be used in combination with a healthy diet. Doctors may follow your blood pressure, and may require you to have lab tests periodically to watch for adverse reactions.
Meridia was approved by the FDA, against the recommendation of the advisory committee who voted against it 5 to 4. The committee came to the conclusion that Meridia was more dangerous that it was beneficial to users. Meridia was made available to consumers in February of 1998. Between then and September 2001, 397 people have reported to the FDA adverse reactions. 152 of these were hospitalizations and 29 individuals died.
