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. celexa. 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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