Patient Information:
Meridia is a prescription drug with Sibutramine
as the active ingredient and used
in the treatment of overweight in association with low calorie
diets
and physical activity. Sibutramine works by suppressing appetite, in
other words it influences nervous terminals in the brains to reduce
appetite and in consequence helps patient lose weight.
Meridia, however, does not work by itself. It needs to be
combined with
a doctor prescribed nutritional regime and physical exercise for an
overall and constant weight loss. Meridia is not recommended to
patients having suffered from anorexia or other eating disorders,
serious heart condition, depressive behavior or difficult intestinal
transit.
Directions of using Meridia:
Meridia is an oral drug marketed as capsules and generally
recommended once a day in
combination or independent of food. Respecting doctor’s advice on
Meridia dosage may help the patient avoid habit forming.
Visible results in Sibutramine treatment should appear
within the first four weeks,
considering drug dosage, low calorie diet and physical exercise are
strictly respected. If less than 4 pounds are lost, however, another
medical consult is needed, as Meridia dose may need to be
changed. The
same happens in case adverse reactions to the drug become unusual and
uncomfortable.
Weight loss should last for no longer than 6 months of
taking Meridia and weight loss maintenance should follow.
Losing weight after stopping the treatment with Meridia may
represent a reason
to ask for doctor’s help. It is advisable to have a doctor recommend
both diet and physical exercise associated with Meridia.
In case a dose of the medication is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as possible, unless the next dose is due in short while. In this case, the forgotten dose is skipped and the next taken in due time.
Contraindications to Meridia:
Meridia is contraindicated in association with certain
substances including Mao
inhibitors, such as nardil, Marplan, Parnate or Eldepryl, other weight
loss chemical or herbal medication and nutritional supplements such as
Didrex, Adipex-P, Phentride, Adipost, Bontril or Desoxyn, and needs
special attention when associated with anticoagulants, itranconazole,
antifungals, ketoconazole, amiodarone, allergy medication and caffeine
based products.
Drug interactions that need medical supervision include HIV and
depression
treatments, cancer therapy medication, high blood pressure drugs, pain
killers and sleeping pills, certain antibiotics etc. Caffeine intake as
well as grapefruit based products should also be supervised by the
doctor prescribing Meridia.
Meridia's Side Effects:
Meridia may cause side effects in patients, ranging from common
and
mild reactions to uncomfortable and severe symptoms. Dry mouth,
digestion disorders and appetite modifications, headache, back pain and
general cold-like symptoms are few of the commonly reported side
effects of the drug. Irascibility, flushing, insomnia, heartburn and
painful menstruation are further reactions Meridia may induce
in most
patients.
There are, however, side effects that need immediate medical
attention, such as shivering and fever, fainting and lightheadedness,
abnormal shaking, anxiety and depression, stomach pain and disorders,
breathing difficulties and irregular heart beat, swellings and
bleedings.