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Precautions Before Using This Medicine
DietˇXYou must follow a reduced-calorie diet while taking Meridia in order to lose weight and keep the lost weight from returning.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
Do not take Meridia while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking medicines with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity , such as isocarboxazid (e.g., Marplan), phenelzine (e.g., Nardil), proca
rbazine (e.g., Matulane), selegiline (e.g., Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (e.g., Parnate). Do not take an MAO inhibitor within 2 weeks of taking Meridia. To do so may cause severe seizures, extremely
high blood pressure, or a life-threatening adverse effect called the serotonin syndrome.
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Why is this drug prescribed?
Meridia is used, in combination with diet and exercise, to help you lose weight. It works by decreasing your appetite.
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How should this medicine be used?
The recommended starting dose of MERIDIA is 10-milligrams administered once daily with or without food. If there is inadequate weight loss, the dose may be titrated after 4 weeks to a total of 15-mill
igrams taken once daily. The 5-milligram dose should be reserved for those patients that do not tolerate the 10-milligram dose. Blood pressure and heart rate changes should betaken into consideration
when making decisions regarding dose titration. Take this medication as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Use in combination with other appetite suppressant medicine is ge
nerally not recommended.
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Less common side effects may include:
- Acne, abnormal thinking, agitation, allergic reaction, arthritis, bronchitis, changes in taste, chest pain, dental problems, diarrhea, difficulty breathing
, drowsiness, ear pain, ear problems, emotional changes, fever, gas, heavy uterine bleeding, herpes simplex virus, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, itching, laryngitis, leg cramps, mens
trual problems, migraine headache, muscle ache, neck pain, rectal problems, reduced vision, stimulation, stomach and intestinal inflammation, sweating, swelling, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, tingling
skin sensation, urinary tract infection, vaginal yeast infection, vomiting
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MERIDIA is a short-term drug that helps you to start losing weight and then keep on going when you are ready to carry on, on your own. Your body starts to build up a resistance to the effects of MERIDIA after a few weeks of treatment, which
When you are taking Meridia, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Tramadol (e.g., Ultram) or
- Trazodone (e.g., D
esyrel) or
- Tryptophan or
- Venlafaxine (e.g., Effexor)ˇXUsing these medicines with Meridia may increase the chance of developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the serot
onin syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or sh
aking, or twitching. If you develop these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible
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