Meridia can be considered for overweight adults. The criteria your doctor will look for is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. If you suffer from potential medical risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, your BMI level should be 27 or higher. Your doctor will be the one to determine your BMI and whether you are a potential patient.
Meridia Directions?
Take Meridia capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow with a drink of water. You may take this medicine with meals or food. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Meridia Side Effects?
Some potential side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, sleeplessness, or constipation. If they last longer than a few days or if they become troublesome, speak with your doctor immediately.
Do not share your medication. Use this drug along side of a healthy diet. Expect your doctor to require regular blood pressure and pulse monitoring, and a few lab tests to make sure no negative side effects are occurring.
Meridia Warnings?
There are certain medications and side effects that can come from using Meridia so tell your doctor of your entire medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow angle), or gallstones.
Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side effects of this medication. It is recommended that women of childbearing age discuss their use of birth control methods with their doctor. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Because of potential risk to infants, breast-feeding while taking this medication is not recommended. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.
Meridia Drug Interactions?
Inform your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you use, particularly other weight reducing agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise blood pressure, such as decongestants like: pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine.
Inform your doctor if you use cough suppressants such as (dextromethorphan), antidepressants (nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric medications, (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine).
Also inform your doctor if you use 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 this drug should not be taken together. If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug.
Meridia Missed Dose?
Take a missed dose as soon as you remember. Unless it's near your time for your next dose, skip the missed and go back to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Meridia Storage?
Meridia should be stored between 59 degrees and 86 degrees F (15-30 C). It should be away from light and moisture and kept away from children.
Anything Else I Should Know About Meridia?
This medication should not be shared. It should be used in combination with a reduced calorie diet. While you are taking this medicine, your blood pressure and pulse may be monitored and lab tests performed to keep track of side effects.
The FDA approved Meridia for use, going against the advisory committee's recommendation, who voted against its approval in a 5 to 4 vote. The committee was concerned that the health risks connected with the use of the Meridia diet drug were more than the benefits. Meridia was first put on the market in February 1998 and until September 2001 there were 397 adverse reactions reported to the FDA, which included 152 hospitalizations, and 29 deaths.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.
