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.
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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.
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