What is Meridia?
Meridia was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010. Meridia influences brain chemicals that influence weight maintenance. When combined with diet and physical activity, Meridia can be used to treat obesity, which may also include diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood tension.
Warnings
Meridia was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010. If you've taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or rasagiline in the past 14 days (Eldepryl Emsam), do not take Meridia. If you take Meridia before your MAO inhibitor is gone, it can cause serious and life-threatening side effects. If you're allergic to sibutramine, have uncontrolled or severe high blood pressure, or have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, you should avoid taking Meridia. Tell your doctor before taking Meridia if any of the following conditions exist: glaucoma; high blood pressure; liver and kidney disease; depression; an underactive thyroid gland; seizures; or bleeding disorders.
Inform your doctor of all medications, including over-the-counter and prescription, that you are taking, particularly antidepressants. Also, mention any cold, allergy, narcotic, pain, migraine, or allergy medicine. If you don't lose 4 pounds or more after 4 weeks of taking this medication along with low-calorie eating, tell your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or rasagiline in the past 14 days (Eldepryl Emsam), do not take Meridia. If you take Meridia before your MAO inhibitor is cleared, serious and life-threatening side effects may occur. If you're allergic to Meridia or have any of the following conditions, you should avoid taking Meridia.
- Hypertension that is severe and uncontrolled
- An eating disorder (bulimia or anorexia);
- A history of atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease);
- A history of heart disease (congestive failure or heart rhythm disorders);
- A history of stroke or heart attack;
- If you take a stimulant diet pill,
You may have to change your Meridia dose or undergo special testing if you suffer from any of the following conditions:
- Glaucoma;
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Depression;
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder;
- A bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- A history of gallstones
- If you're older than 65 or younger than 16,
Meridia is in FDA category C for pregnancy. There are no known side effects for an unborn child. Inform your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant while taking Meridia. There is no way to know if sibutramine can pass into breast milk or harm nursing babies. If you're breastfeeding, do not take Meridia without first telling your doctor. This medication should not be given to children under 16 years of age.
How to take Meridia?
Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your physician when taking Meridia. In fact, follow all instructions listed on your prescription exactly to achieve optimal results. Take Meridia once daily as directed by your physician. Please follow their advice when administering. Your dose may need to be altered from time to time for optimal results. Meridia can be taken both with and without food. If you are taking Meridia for the first four weeks and following a low-calorie diet, then at least four pounds should be lost. If you don't lose 4 pounds in 4 weeks, tell your doctor. You will have to check your blood pressure and pulse often. Visit your doctor regularly. Take Meridia for no longer than two years. Meridia should be stored at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light. Meridia should not be shared with anyone else. Store the medicine in an area where other people cannot reach it.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as possible, take the missed dose.If it is close to time for your next scheduled dose, don't take an extra one just yet. Instead, wait and take only what's necessary until then.You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poisoning or seek immediate medical advice. Overdose symptoms include dizziness and rapid heartbeat, headaches, and nausea.
What should be avoided?
Meridia can impair thinking and reactions. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness. Take only the prescribed or non-prescription weight-loss products as directed by your doctor. While taking Meridia, avoid taking cold and allergy medications or cough medications. Meridia and alcohol are not compatible.
Side effects of Meridia
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic response to Meridia, seek emergency medical attention: swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue; hives; difficulty breathing; and swelling on your face. Should any serious adverse side effects, including:
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
- Shortness of breath: new or worsening?
- Agitation, hallucinations, fever, and tremors Overactive reflexes. Nausea, vomiting. Diarrhea. Loss of coordination. Dilated pupils.
- Feeling like you could pass out, very rigid muscles, high temperature, sweating, and confusion
- Easy bruising and bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or other bleeding that will not stop);
- High blood pressure can cause severe headaches, blurred or buzzing vision, anxiety, and seizures.
- Pain in the chest, a heavy feeling that spreads to the shoulder or arm, or a general feeling of unwellness
- Sudden numbness, weakness, especially on one side, problems with speech, vision, or balance
Some of the less serious side effects that Meridia may cause include:
- Dry mouth and an upset stomach
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation, stomach pain;
- Headache, back pain, joint pain;
- Feeling nervous, dizzy, or depressed
- Flu symptoms include a runny or stuffy nasal discharge, a sore throat, and a cough.
- Feelings of warmth or redness under the skin
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia);
- Mild skin rash
There may be other side effects. If you experience side effects, consult a physician immediately or report them by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor before taking Meridia if you take other medications that cause you to sleep (e.g., cold and allergy medicines, sedatives or narcotic pain medication, sleeping pills or muscle relaxers), or if you have been prescribed medicine for depression or anxiety, seizures, or depression. These medicines can increase the sleepiness that Meridia causes. Before taking decongestants or cough medicines, as well as any other diet pills, consult your physician.
The following drugs may interact with Meridia. Inform your doctor about the following:
- Lithium (Lithobid Eskalith and other lithium compounds);
- Tryptophan, also known as L-tryptophan,
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- Erythromycin is an antibacterial drug (also known as Erythromycin, Ery-Tab, or Ery-Ped).
- Antidepressants such as citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, and others
- Migranal Nasal Spray 45, ergonovine (ergotrate), ergotamine, or methylergonovine are all ergot medicines. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
- Sumatriptan or Zomig (Zomig) are migraine headache medicines that can help.
- Meperidine, Fentora (Actiq), Duragesic (Fentora), Onsolis (Onsolis), Fentora (Fentora), Talwin (Pentazocine), and meperidine are all narcotics.
Other drugs can interact with Meridia. Inform your doctor of all the medications that you take. Included are prescriptions, vitamins, herbal, and over-the-counter products. You should not begin a new medicine without consulting your doctor.
