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Meridia

(sibutramine)

In this factsheet:
• How does Meridia work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Meridia?
• What form(s) does Meridia come in?
• Who should NOT take Meridia?
• What side effects are possible with Meridia?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Meridia?
• What other drugs could interact with Meridia?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does Meridia work? What will it do for me?

Sibutramine is known as a satiety enhancer. It is used as part of a weight management program (a calorie-reduced diet and physical activity) to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss. It works in the brain by affecting certain chemicals that control your appetite, and helps you eat less by making you feel full sooner. It may also increase the way your body uses energy (thermogenesis).

Every person will respond differently to sibutramine when used as part of a weight-loss program. Some people may be able to lose 4 or more pounds (1.8 kg or more) in the first month of starting sibutramine. However, most people who lose weight on sibutramine lose it in the first 6 months of treatment. In order to achieve long-term maintenance of weight loss, you must change your lifestyle habits while taking sibutramine (e.g., a calorie-reduced diet and increased physical activity).

This medication should only be used by people who have not been successful in losing sufficient weight on a low-calorie diet alone, and who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, or by people with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher with other health risk factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or large waist measurement. BMI is not a direct measure of fat and these guidelines do not apply to athletes and pregnant women.

BMI is calculated by dividing your body weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs (68 kg) and are 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall, divide 68 by (1.73×1.73), or 2.99. The result is a BMI of 22.7.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use Meridia?

The usual recommended adult dose of sibutramine is 10 mg once a day, taken in the morning. Capsules may be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole. Depending on your response to sibutramine, your doctor may increase or decrease the dose as needed, but usually the daily dose does not exceed 15 mg.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is also important to follow the diet and physical activity recommendations of your health professional very closely. If you miss a dose of this medication, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature in a dry place, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Meridia come in?

10 mg
Each blue-and-white capsule, marked with "MERIDIA" on the cap and "10" on the body, contains 10 mg of sibutramine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; capsule shell: FD&C Blue No. 2, gelatin, and titanium dioxide; printing ink: silicon dioxide, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

15 mg
Each yellow-and-white capsule, marked with "MERIDIA" on the cap and "15" on the body, contains 15 mg of sibutramine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, gelatin, and titanium dioxide; printing ink: silicon dioxide, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take Meridia?

Sibutramine should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to sibutramine or to any of the ingredients of this medication
• is taking (or has taken within the last 14 days) any of the medications known as MAO inhibitors (e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
• is taking (or has taken within the last 14 days) herbal remedies such as St. John's wort
• is taking (or has taken within the last 14 days) medications to treat to psychiatric illness such as antidepressants (e.g., fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine) or antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol)
• is taking or has taken the antidepressant fluoxetine in the last 5 weeks
• is taking other weight management medications that act on chemicals of the brain (e.g., diethylpropion, phentermine)
• has a psychiatric illness
• has had coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, a stroke, or TIA (transient ischemic attack, or "mini-stroke")
• has high blood pressure that is not properly controlled
• has or has a history of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa

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