Weight Loss Boards

All About Merida (Sibutramine)

July 2nd, 2008

Meridia, also known in Europe and other countries as Reductil, was approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration in 1997 as a drug to treat obesity. The drug should be taken once a day, and with a full glass of water. The recommended starting dosage is 10 mg per day. While everyone has different results while using the drug, a minimum of four pounds should be lost in the first month when taken while also following a weight loss plan containing a healthy diet and exercise. If 4 pounds are not lost, you should consult your doctor about changing your dosage.



The active ingredient in Meridia, sibutramine, does not suppress appetite, but does decrease the time it takes you to develop a sense of fullness you feel after eating. Feeling this satiety sooner will cause you to eat less. When coupled with a low calorie diet, many people have had success while taking this drug. It should be taken exactly as directed, and is only suggested for short term use. Meridia is only recommended for people who have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher, with the exception to those who have a BMI of 27 or higher along with other risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Meridia should not be taken by certain people, including those with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, irregular heart beats, or severe kidney or liver disease. It should also not be prescribed to those already taking any weight loss medications that affect the brain. If you have had a heart attack, stroke, or have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, it is advised that you not take Meridia. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should not take the drug as well. Anyone taking the drug should exercise caution while driving or operating heavy machinery, as the side effects can alter your alertness.

As with virtually any medication on the market, Meridia has its fair share of side effects. The most common are increased blood pressure and heart rate. It is imperative to schedule follow up visits with your doctor so your blood pressure and rate can be monitored regularly. Other common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, constipation, anorexia, dizziness, and insomnia. Less common side effects that require immediate medical attention include seizures, chest pain, fever, irregular heartbeat, and abnormal vision. Clinical studies are ongoing on reports of sudden death and heart and renal failure in patients taking Meridia.

In conclusion, if you are willing to take a chance on it, Meridia may work for you. As with most weight loss products, a healthy diet and an effective exercise routine are required while taking the medicine for it to work properly. Meridia should only be prescribed to those severely overweight, and always taken as directed. Studies have shown numerous side effects, and tests are still being done as to whether its consumption is a serious health risk. It has also been requested that Meridia be taken off the market, but reports have not been conclusive to its potential danger as of yet.

Entry Filed under: Prescription Diet Pills