Meridia diet pills reviewed - dosage, side effects and precautions

Brand Name: Meridia

Generic Name: Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate

Manufactured by Abbott Laboratories: www.meridia.net

Meridia diet pills are designed for overweight people with a BMI of 30 or more. It may also be beneficial to people with a BMI of 27 or more if they are suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. Sibutramine (the laboratory name for Meridia) is a monoamine reuptake inhibitor – which in short means that is uses the neurotransmitters in the brain to control your appetite. Developed in the 1980s as antidepressant, sibutramine was approved as an appetite suppressant in February 1998. It is a schedule IV controlled substance, with a low potential for abuse. As with most diet pills, this one must be used along with a sensible eating plan, plenty of exercise, as well as behavior modification. Abbott Laboratories, who make this drug, say more than 8.5 million patients worldwide have taken it in the United States since its introduction at the end of the 1990s, and more than 100,000 doctors in the U.S. have prescribed the drug.

Dosage: Taken orally, with or without food, a dose of 10mg once a day is recommended. It is suggested that the morning is the best time to be taking this drug. Should you find that there is insufficient weight loss after a month, your doctor may increase the dose to 15mg per day. If you miss a dose, do not take an extra capsule to catch up for the forgotten dose – just wait until your next dose is due and continue taking the medication as prescribed.

Meridia Side Effects: Common side effects that are associated with these pills are dry mouth, anorexia, headache, insomnia and constipation. Some people may experience high blood pressure and heart rate. If you experience new or worsening shortness of breath, or if you experience chest pain, fainting, or swelling of your feet, ankles, or legs, stop taking it and notify your doctor immediately.

Precautions: People suffering from high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease should consult their doctor before taking this drug. Also people who h ave experienced any of the following problems: a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and/or who have heart-related chest pain; arrhythmias; previous heart attack; diagnosis of congestive heart failure; severe liver or kidney disease; stroke or symptoms of a stroke; are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding their infants; anorexia nervosa.; taking prescription medications for depression; seizures (epilepsy or convulsions); narrow angle glaucoma. People who are taking other medications that regulate the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain (for example: Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Effexor (venlafaxine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), or Zyban (bupropion) should not take this medication

It is important not to take the pills with any other appetite suppressant. It is recommended to visit your doctor for regular check-ups when taking this medication. Like other appetite suppressants, this one causes a dry mouth. Extra special attention should be given to oral hygiene while taking this drug.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Meridia Diet Pills

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