| Meridia Still a Popular Diet Pill
FDA has approved several prescription
drugs for obesity. Those available on
the market include:
- Dexedrine and other amphetamines
- Ionamin and Adipex-P (Phentermine),
Sanorex (Mazindol), Tenuate (Diethylpropion), Prelu-2
(Phendimetrazine) and other amphetamine
derivatives
- Meridia (sibutramine)
Meridia:
Meridia diet pill was approved by the FDA in 1998.
Meridia was launched just
one year after Fen-Phen was recalled from the market
in 1997. Meridia has never been a very safe diet pills
due to its side effects. A group of people had even
requested FDA to remove Meridia from the market. Many
cases of cardiovascular problems due to Meridia were
reported. Nearly 400 cases of serious Meridia adverse
reactions were reported from 1998 to 2001.
Even though there has been such adverse report to Meridia, the popularity of the medicine has not gone down. The number of prescription for Meridia has only increased.
Meridia is recommended for individuals whose BMI is
30 or higher and is recommended with low calorie diet.
Meridia's chemical name is Sibutramine. Each Meridia
capsule contains 5mg, 10mg and 15 mg of Sibutramine
hydrochloride monohydrate.
Dosage:
Recommended starting dose for Meridia is 10 mg, administered
once daily with or without food in the morning (unless
advised otherwise). If inadequate weight
loss is felt after 4 weeks, the dose can
be increased to 15 mg daily. This should be done under
strict supervision of the doctor as he will be able
to monitor blood pressure and heart rate changes if
any. Meridia does not work for everyone.
Side Effects:
Meridia substantially increases blood pressure/pulse
rate in some patients. A regular monitoring of blood
pressure and pulse rate is required. Other side effects
may include:
- Dizziness/confusion/vomiting
- Restlessness/irritability
- Dry mouth
- Stomach upset/constipation
- Insomnia
Missed dose:
It is important that dosage of Meridia should be followed
strictly. There should caution while using it as an
overdose can prove fatal. Incase a dose is missed; it
is advisable to skip the dose and take the next dose
as prescribed.
Precautions:
Before taking Meridia tell your doctor about all other
prescription drugs or OTC drugs, especially weight reducing
drugs, decongestants, anti depressants, cough suppressants
that you might be taking.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have
- high BP
- any heart problem
- had a stroke or any such indications in the past
- liver/ kidney problems
- have glaucoma
- have thyroid problem
- have or had seizures, depression
- if you are over 65 yrs
- if you are under 16 yrs
- if you are pregnant or intent to become pregnant
- if you are breastfeeding
Meridia is not recommended if you have a history of
eating disorder, pulmonary hypertension,
irregular heart beat, atherosclerosis, heart conditions
or stroke or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
such as isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or phenelzine
in the last 14 days.
Meridia like any other prescription diet pill
is available online. One can buy Meridia from a legal
internet pharmacy. Meridia should not be taken without
proper consultation from a doctor as it has very serious
side effects.
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