About Meridia

Meridia is prescribed as an appetite suppressant for individuals whose body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. It may be prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 27 if they have high-risk weight related conditions. Meridia works most effectively when combined with changes to diet and exercise habits, by making it easier to make healthy lifestyle choices. Because Meridia works to reduce hunger and stimulate your metabolism, Meridia increases the effectiveness of a healthier diet and moderate exercise. Diet and exercise changes must be maintained after you have stopped taking Meridia to keep lost weight from returning.

If you have a weight-related disorder such as diabetes or high blood pressure, Meridia may help you see positive results more quickly, reducing the danger of weight-related disease.

Meridia boosts serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, some of the nervous system's chemical messengers. Be cautious of drug interactions when contemplating mixing Meridia with other drugs that may do the same. Some drug interactions could be dangerous.

Meridia Side Effects

Meridia usage for periods longer than two years have not been studied. Use Meridia only as long as your doctor recommends it, and do not exceed the suggested Meridia dosage.

Common Meridia side effects may include: High blood pressure; patients taking Meridia are urged to have their doctors regularly monitor their blood pressure. Constipation, dry mouth, or difficulty sleeping may result. If these side effects persist, contact your doctor for advice.

Less common Meridia side effects may include: Aching muscles, chills, headache, increased heart rate, menstrual pain, sweating.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the feet or ankles, hives, rash, or itching. These side effects are unlikely, but may indicate a serious or allergic reaction to Meridia. If you have any of these reactions, you should stop taking Meridia immediately, and will not be able to continue treatment with it.

Cautions: Meridia is not recommended for patients with certain conditions or medical histories, and may only be recommended with caution for others. Please advise your doctor if you have a history of any of the following to ensure that your treatment is safe and effective.

• Allergic reaction to Meridia or any other drug.
• Coronary artery disease
• Eating disorder
• Gallstones - Weight loss can cause an increase of gallstones.
• Glaucoma - particularly narrow angle glaucoma
• Heart disease - Do not use Meridia.
• High or low blood pressure - Use Meridia only under close supervision, and only if your condition is controlled by medication.
• Irregular heartbeat - Do not use Meridia.
• Kidney or liver disease - Meridia has not been tested in individuals with these conditions .
• Migraine - Prescription migraine medication may not be safe to mix with Meridia.
• Osteoperosis
• Overactive thyroid
• Seizures - Meridia could increase the risk of seizure.
• Substance abuse - While the risk of dependence is low, Meridia is classed as a controlled substance.
• Stroke

Meridia Interactions

Meridia should be taken with caution, or not at all, with the following medications. When used with Meridia, many of these medications increase the chance of developing the rare, but serious, side effect known as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome may cause confusion, restlessness, lowered coordination, shivering or trembling, diarrhea, fever, sweating, twitching, or behaving with an excitement you can't control. Let your doctor know if you are taking, or plan to take, any of the following medications during your Meridia treatment.

• Alcohol - Avoid large amounts of alcohol while taking Meridia, as alcohol's sedative effects may be exaggerated.
• Allergy or hay fever medication
• Amerge (naratriptan)
• Amphetamines - Avoid mixing amphetamines like Adderall, Dexedrine, or Desoxyn with Meridia
• Appetite suppressants or other diet pills - Mixing Meridia with other diet pills such as Phentermine (adipex, fastin, ionamin), Pondimin (fenfluramine) or dexfenfluramine, Didrex (benzphetamine), Phendiet (phendimetrazine), Sanorex (mazindol), or Tenuate (diethylpropion) have not been shown to be safe or effective.
• BuSpar (buspirone)
• Cold or sinus medication containing Dextromethorphan
• Desyrel (trazodone)
• Duragesic (fentanyl)
• Effexor (venlafaxine) - Increases the risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
• Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE (erythromycin) - May inhibit the metabolism of Meridia
• Ephedrine
• Etrafon, Trilafon (perphenazine)
• Herbal weight loss supplements - These may contain ephedra, or other stimulants, and should not be mixed with Meridia.
• Imitrex (sumatriptan)
• Lithium, Lithobid, Lithonate (Eskalith)
• Ludiomil (maprotiline)
• Manarex (moclobemide) - Do not use Manarex within 3 days of using Meridia. This may increase your chance of developing serotonin syndrome.
• MAO inhibitors - Meridia must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Eldepryl, Nardil, Marplan, or Parnate. Never use Meridia within 2 weeks of starting or stopping an MAO inhibitor. The reaction could be fatal. Patients over 65 should allow a longer wait period between using Meridia and an MAO, as medications may stay in their system longer than in other patients.
• Migranal or D.H.E. injections (dihydroergotamine)
• Narcotic/opioid analgesics like Codeine, Demerol (meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine), or Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen), Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen).
• Nizoral (ketaconazole) - May inhibit the metabolism of Meridia
• Parlodel (bromocriptine)
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Provigil (modafinil) - May increase CNS stimulation unacceptably.
• Pseudoephedrine
• Remeron (mirtazapine)
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa (citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
• Serzone (nefazodone)
• Sinemet (carbidopa, levodopa)
• Street drugs of any type should not be mixed with Meridia. They may be unpredictably laced with stimulants, or interfere dangerously with serotonin levels.
• Talwin (pentazocine)
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Triavil (amitriptyline and the tranquilizer perphenazine), Limbitrol (amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase the risk of side effects from Meridia.
• Tryptophan, or 5-HTP (Contained in certain amino acid supplements or by itself) - This supplement may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when mixed with Meridia.
• Ultram (Tramadol)
• Viagra (sildenafil) - Meridia may increase the likelihood of side effects from this treatment.
• Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion)
• Zomig (zolmitriptan)

It is not safe to combine Meridia with any other stimulant or appetite suppressant. Further, Meridia does not mix well with medication designed to improve depression or anxiety. Exercise caution when buying over the counter medications or supplements, and always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have doubts about the safety of any drug combination.

Meridia Side Effects

All recommended Meridia dosages are for adults. Children under 16 should not take Meridia.

• 5 mg
• 10 mg - Usual starting dosage for Meridia
• 15 mg - Maximum recommended dosage

Meridia Directions

If you miss a dose of Meridia, skip it and wait until it's time for your next regular dose. Never take a double dose of Meridia, as this could increase the likelihood of side effects and addiction.

Store Meridia away from direct light and heat. Store Meridia in a dry location; avoid storing Meridia in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use Meridia after the expiration date.

Keep Meridia away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.

If you experience dry mouth, this may be relieved by chewing sugarless gum, ice, or drinking plenty of water. If this symptom, or any other, persists, you should inform your doctor immediately.

Meridia does not appear to cause mood changes, lightheadedness, or drowsiness. Still, you should be aware of your reactions to Meridia before deciding to drive, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially dangerous tasks.

For maximum effect, you should combine Meridia use with a healthier diet and moderate exercise.

Meridia and Pregnancy

Medications like Meridia have been known to cause birth defects. Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant. Individuals taking Meridia are advised to use effective contraception.

Meridia is not recommended during breastfeeding as it has not been shown to be safe, and may cause unwanted side effects in your newborn.

Meridia and Children

Meridia has not been studied for safety or use for children and it is not recommended for children under 16.

Meridia and Seniors

Meridia has not been studied separately in older adults. There are no special recommendations or cautions for seniors, Meridia is not expected to have different side effects.