Meridia is a weight loss diet pill in weight
loss and the maintenance of weight loss. Meridia
along with a reduced-calorie diet, produced significant
reductions in body weight.
|
Meridia®
Used to reduce excess body weight (Sibutramine - Oral)
Uses
This medication is used to reduce excess body weight
(obesity).
How to take this medication
Take by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor, usually
once daily. The full effect on weight may require four
to six weeks. Do not increase your dose, take it more
frequently or use it for a longer period of time than
prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also,
if used for a longer period of time, do not suddenly
stop using this drug without your doctor's approval.
Over time, this drug may not work as well as it did
at the beginning. Consult your doctor if weight increases.
Side effects
Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping
may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify
your doctor promptly.
Precautions
Before using Meridia, tell your doctor your entire medical
history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies),
liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure or heart
disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating
disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow
angle), or history of gallstones. Limit alcohol intake,
as it may worsen certain side effects of this medication.
It is recommended that women of child-bearing age should
use effective birth control while taking this medication.
This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Consult your doctor before using this drug. It is not
known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk.
Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using Meridia is not recommended. Consult your
doctor before breast-feeding. Elderly patients may be
more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medication you may use, especially other weight reducing
agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise
blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine,
phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan),
antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric
medications (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline,
moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine),
drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan),
tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine,
pentazocine, fentanyl), ketoconazole, erythromycin,
high blood pressure medicine or any drugs which can
cause drowsiness, including certain antihistamines (e.g.,
diphenhydramine), sedatives and anti-seizure drugs.
Antihistamines and decongestants may be found in many
nonprescription drugs for cough and cold. Consult your
pharmacist. MAO Inhibitors (see above) and Meridia should
not be taken together. If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug
is stopped, wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. This medication
should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet.
Blood pressure and pulse may be measured and laboratory
tests performed to monitor side effects.
Miss dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-
up" the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees
F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep
this and all medications out of the reach of children.
|
