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Meridia
Heart-related deaths tied to this weight loss drug may cause an FDA ban.
BACKGROUND
As of December 4, 2009, the consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to pull the popular weight loss drug Meridia from the market because of heart-related deaths that have occurred in 84 individuals who have taken the drug.
Meridia (sibutramine) is a prescription weight loss drug that when used together with diet and exercise may help those who are overweight or obese lose weight. It is manufactured by the company Abbott Laboratories.
Meridia works by acting on the chemicals in the body that regulate weight. It is a serotonin-norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor and is structurally similar to amphetamines. It helps to produce feelings of satiety, therefore influencing appetite so that you will eat less and feel less hungry.
The weight loss drug is taken once a day, but since it contains many contraindications, you must meet a laundry list of health criteria in order for it to be considered safe for you to take it.
You can expect to lose four pounds in four weeks, or one pound a week, while taking Meridia and following a low-calorie diet.
PRO
- May help those who need extra support to lose weight
- Available by prescription, giving it FDA approval
CON
- Evidence that Meridia also increases risk of heart-related deaths
- Immediate side effects include impaired thinking and reactions
- Cannot be taken by those who have severe high blood pressure
- Cannot be taken by those already taking MAO inhibitors
- Cannot drive while taking Meridia
- Weight loss is not that much different than exercise and diet alone
INGREDIENTS
Meridia contains sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate.
ADMINISTRATION
Meridia is taken once a day with or without food.
Meridia cannnot be taken by those already taking MAO inhibitors such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
DIET and EXERCISE
A low-calorie diet and regular exercise program are required while taking Meridia in order to enhance the effects of the weight loss drug. Since it is a prescription drug, a diet and exercise plan should be worked out with your medical doctor beforehand.
CONCLUSION
Meridia is a prescription weight loss drug that acts on three neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with the regulation of weight: norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Weight loss is very modest with Meridia and those with high blood pressure, or who take other classes of drugs, cannot take Meridia.
While all weight loss drugs come with the potential for real health risks, Meridia is no exception. In late 2009, the FDA has been called to ban the drug for its potential life-threatening risks. More than 84 people have died from heart complications while taking this drug.
Therefore, if you are looking to lose weight, you are encouraged to speak with your doctor about developing a safe and effective weight loss plan.
Common Misspellings
Meredia, Maridia, Meridian, Meridias, Neridia
Related Diets: Alli, Orlistat, Phentermine, Xenical
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I used Meridia a few years ago prescribed by my doctor and had good luck with it. Lost about 25lbs in three months but have subsequently put it all back on plus!
thanks alot, very useful piece of information.. but still confused?!! should i take it or not? my BMI is 29.7 and tryed to lose weight but i soon gain it again and even more than i was.. i tryed a similar drug and it was effective at the begining but with time it wasn't effective and even the side effects were gone, as if i wasn't taking it.. so would this drug be effective in my case or not?? i don't know? and can these drugs make my body lose the sensation of being full on the long run? i feel like i'm hungry all the time!!!
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