About Meridia
Meridia is prescribed as an appetite suppressant for individuals
whose body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. It may be prescribed
for individuals with a BMI of 27 if they have high-risk weight
related conditions. This medication works most effectively
to aid weight loss when combined with changes to diet and
exercise habits, by making it easier to make healthy lifestyle
choices. Because Meridia works to reduce hunger and stimulate
your metabolism, it increases the effectiveness of a healthier
diet and moderate exercise in promoting weight loss. Diet
and exercise changes must be maintained after you have stopped
taking Meridia to keep lost weight from returning.
If you have a weight-related disorder such as diabetes or high
blood pressure, Meridia may help you see positive results more quickly,
reducing the danger of weight-related disease.
Meridia boosts serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, some of
the nervous system's chemical messengers. Be cautious of drug interactions
when contemplating mixing Meridia with other drugs that may do the
same. Some drug interactions could be dangerous.
Meridia Side Effects
Meridia usage for periods longer than two years have not been
studied. Use Meridia only as long as your doctor recommends it,
and do not exceed the suggested dosage.
Common Meridia side effects may include: High blood pressure;
patients taking Meridia are urged to have their doctors regularly
monitor their blood pressure. Constipation, dry mouth, or difficulty
sleeping may result. If these side effects persist, contact your
doctor for advice.
Less common Meridia side effects may include: Aching muscles,
chills, headache, increased heart rate, menstrual pain, sweating.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience weakness,
chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the feet
or ankles, hives, rash, or itching. These side effects are unlikely,
but may indicate a serious or allergic reaction to Meridia. If you
have any of these reactions, you should stop taking Meridia immediately,
and will not be able to continue treatment with it.
Cautions: Meridia is not recommended for patients with certain
conditions or medical histories, and may only be recommended with
caution for others. Please advise your doctor if you have a history
of any of the following to ensure that your treatment is safe and
effective.
- Allergic reaction to Meridia or any other drug.
- Coronary artery disease
- Eating disorder
- Gallstones - Weight loss can cause an increase of gallstones.
- Glaucoma - particularly narrow angle glaucoma
- Heart disease - Do not use Meridia.
- High or low blood pressure - Use Meridia only under close supervision,
and only if your condition is controlled by medication.
- Irregular heartbeat - Do not use Meridia.
- Kidney or liver disease - Meridia has not been tested in individuals
with these conditions .
- Migraine - Prescription migraine medication may not be safe
to mix with Meridia.
- Osteoperosis
- Overactive thyroid
- Seizures - Meridia could increase the risk of seizure.
- Substance abuse - While the risk of dependence is low, Meridia
is classed as a controlled substance.
- Stroke
Meridia Interactions
Meridia should be taken with caution, or not at all, with the following
medications. When used with Meridia, many of these medications increase
the chance of developing the rare, but serious, side effect known
as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome may cause confusion, restlessness,
lowered coordination, shivering or trembling, diarrhea, fever, sweating,
twitching, or behaving with an excitement you can't control. Let
your doctor know if you are taking, or plan to take, any of the
following medications during your Meridia treatment.
- Alcohol - Avoid large amounts of alcohol while taking Meridia,
as alcohol's sedative effects may be exaggerated.
- Allergy or hay fever medication
- Amphetamines - Avoid mixing amphetamines like Adderall, Dexedrine,
or Desoxyn with Meridia.
- Antifungals like Diflucan (fluconazole),
Nizoral (ketoconazole),
Sporanox (itraconazole), and possibly others may increase the
possibility of sibutramine toxicity.
- Appetite suppressants or other diet pills - Mixing Meridia with
other diet pills such as Phentermine
(adipex, fastin, ionamin), Pondimin (fenfluramine) or dexfenfluramine,
Didrex (benzphetamine), Phendiet (phendimetrazine), Sanorex (mazindol),
or Tenuate (diethylpropion) have not been shown to be safe or
effective.
- BuSpar (buspirone)
- Cold or sinus medication containing Dextromethorphan
- Desyrel (trazodone)
- Duragesic (fentanyl)
- Effexor (venlafaxine)
- Increases the risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
- Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE (erythromycin) - May inhibit the metabolism
of Meridia
- Ephedrine
- Etrafon, Trilafon (perphenazine)
- Herbal weight loss supplements - These may contain ephedra,
or other stimulants, and should not be mixed with Meridia.
- Lithium (Eskalith) - Do not combine.
- Ludiomil (maprotiline)
- Manarex (moclobemide) - Do not use Manarex within 3 days of
using Meridia. This may increase your chance of developing serotonin
syndrome.
- MAO inhibitors - Meridia must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Eldepryl, Nardil,
Marplan, or Parnate. Never use Meridia within 2 weeks of starting
or stopping an MAO inhibitor. The reaction could be fatal.
Patients over 65 should allow a longer wait period between using
Meridia and an MAO, as medications may stay in their system longer
than in other patients.
- Migraine medications of the triptan class such as Amerge
(naratriptan), Imitrex
(sumatriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), or Zomig (zolmitriptan)
may lead to toxicity.
- Migranal or D.H.E. injections (dihydroergotamine)
- Narcotic/opioid analgesics like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene),
Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine,
OxyContin (oxycodone),
Percocet (oxycodone and
acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine),
or Vicodin (hydrocodone and
acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen).
- Nizoral (ketaconazole) - May inhibit the metabolism of Meridia
- Parlodel (bromocriptine)
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Provigil (modafinil) -
May increase CNS stimulation unacceptably.
- Pseudoephedrine
- Remeron (mirtazapine)
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa
(citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine),
Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine),
or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Serzone (nefazodone)
- Sinemet (carbidopa, levodopa)
- Street drugs of any type should not be mixed with Meridia. They
may be unpredictably laced with stimulants, or interfere dangerously
with serotonin levels.
- Talwin (pentazocine)
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Triavil (amitriptyline and the tranquilizer
perphenazine), Limbitrol (amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide),
Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Pertofrane or Norpramin
(desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin),
Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the risk of side effects from Meridia.
- Tryptophan, or 5-HTP (Contained in certain amino acid supplements
or by itself) - This supplement may increase the risk of serotonin
syndrome when mixed with Meridia.
- Ultram (Tramadol)
- Viagra (sildenafil) - Meridia
may increase the likelihood of side effects from this treatment.
- Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion)
It is not safe to combine Meridia with any other stimulant or appetite
suppressant. Further, Meridia does not mix well with medication
designed to improve depression or anxiety. Exercise caution when
buying over the counter medications or supplements, and always consult
your doctor or pharmacist if you have doubts about the safety of
any drug combination.
Meridia Dosages
All recommended dosages are for adults undertaking a physician
supervised weight loss program. Children under 16 should not
take Meridia.
- 5 mg - Available in 5 mg doses
- 10 mg - Usual starting dosage for Meridia
- 15 mg - Maximum recommended dosage
Meridia Directions
If you miss a dose of Meridia, skip it and wait until it's
time for your next regular dose. Never take a double dose of Meridia,
as this could increase the likelihood of side effects and addiction.
Store Meridia away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Meridia away from children; both when storing it, and
when discarding any unused medication.
If you experience dry mouth, this may be relieved by chewing sugarless
gum, ice, or drinking plenty of water. If this symptom, or any other,
persists, you should inform your doctor immediately.
Meridia does not appear to cause mood changes, lightheadedness,
or drowsiness. Still, you should be aware of your reactions to Meridia
before deciding to drive, operate machinery, or perform any other
potentially dangerous tasks.
For maximum effect, you should combine Meridia use with a healthier
diet and moderate exercise.
Meridia and Pregnancy
Medications like Meridia have been known to cause birth defects.
Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant.
Individuals taking Meridia are advised to use effective contraception.
Meridia is not recommended during breastfeeding as it has not been
shown to be safe, and may cause unwanted side effects in your newborn.
Meridia and Children
Meridia has not been studied for safety or use for children and
it is not recommended for children under 16.
Meridia and Seniors
Meridia has not been studied separately in older adults. There
are no special recommendations or cautions for seniors, Meridia
is not expected to have different side effects.
Meridia is a trademark of Knoll Pharmaceuticals, now Abbott Laboratories
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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