Drug name:
Meridia
How does Meridia
work? Meridia is a weight loss diet pill in
weight loss and the maintenance of weight
loss. Meridia along with a reduced-calorie
diet, produced significant reductions in body
weight. |
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How to take Meridia
Take Meridia by mouth exactly as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily. The full effect on
weight may require four to six weeks. Do not increase
your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a
longer period of time than prescribed because Meridia
can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a longer period
of time, do not suddenly stop using Meridia without
your doctor's approval. Over time, Meridia may not
work as well as it did at the beginning. Consult your
doctor if weight increases.
Meridia Side Effects
Dry mouth,
drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping may
occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your
doctor promptly.
Meridia Precautions
Before using
Meridia, tell your doctor your entire medical history,
including any allergies (especially drug allergies),
liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure or heart
disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating
disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow
angle), or history of gallstones. Limit alcohol intake,
as it may worsen certain side effects of this
medication. It is recommended that women of
child-bearing age should use effective birth control
while taking Meridia. Meridia is not
recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your
doctor before using Meridia. It is not known whether
Meridia is excreted into breast milk. Because of the
potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using
Meridia is not recommended. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding. Elderly patients may be more sensitive
to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.
Drug interactions
Tell
your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medication you may use, especially other weight reducing
agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise
blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g.,
pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine), cough
suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan), antidepressants
(e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline,
fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric
medications (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline,
moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine),
drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine,
sumatriptan), tryptophan, certain narcotic pain
relievers (e.g., meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl),
ketoconazole, erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine
or any drugs which can cause drowsiness, including
certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine),
sedatives and anti-seizure drugs. Antihistamines and
decongestants may be found in many nonprescription drugs
for cough and cold. Consult your pharmacist. MAO
Inhibitors (see above) and Meridia should not be taken
together. If an MAO Inhibitor or Meridia is stopped,
wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug.
Notes
Do not share Meridia with others. This medication should be used
in addition to a reduced calorie diet. Blood pressure
and pulse may be measured and laboratory tests performed
to monitor side effects.
Meridia Missed Dose
If you miss Meridia
dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the
time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume
your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double- up" the dose
to catch up.
Meridia Storage
Store Meridia at room
temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees
C) away from light and moisture. Keep Meridia and all
medications out of the reach of children.