Weight Loss Drug - Meridia (Sibutramine) is a prescription medication that's used along with a reduced-calorie diet to help people lose weight and keep it off. Meridia (Sibutramine) works by acting on the appetite control centers in the brain. Meridia (Sibutramine) is a prescription weight-loss medication, not a miracle pill. When you take Meridia (Sibutramine), it's important to stick to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Naturally, it's extremely important when losing weight to lower how many calories you eat. If you reduce your usual diet by 500-1000 calories a day-you should lose 1-2 pounds a week. In general, it's best to stick to a diet that consists of 1200-1600 calories per day for men, or 1000-1200 for women. Your physician can help you set your caloric needs.

Weight Loss Drug - Meridia is indicated for people who need to lose 30 pounds or more depending on height, and should be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet. Patients cannot take MERIDIA if they are taking prescription medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are sometimes used to treat depression or Parkinson's disease, otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. MERIDIA also cannot be taken if patients have anorexia nervosa, are taking other weight loss medications that act on the brain or are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients of MERIDIA, otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. Increase IN blood pressure is one of the MERIDIA side effects. Patients being treated with MERIDIA should see their doctor as directed for regular monitoring of blood pressure and pulse rate. MERIDIA should be given with caution to those patients with history of hypertension and should not be given to patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. MERIDIA should not be used in patients with a history of coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure or stroke otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. MERIDIA should not be used in patients with severe liver or kidney disease otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. It should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or history of seizures otherwise they may result in MERIDIA side effects. MERIDIA should not be taken by patients 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)). MERIDIA should not be used by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or who are breast feeding their infant. The most common side effects include headache, dry mouth, anorexia, constipation, and insomnia. MERIDIA is a controlled substance that might be abused, or might cause physical or psychological dependence.