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What special precautions should I follow?
Diet¡XYou 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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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:
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarbo
xazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])¡X Do not take Meridia while you are taking or within 2 wee
ks of taking an MAO inhibitor, and do not take an MAO inhibitor within 2 weeks of taking Meridia . If you do, you may develop severe seizures, extremely high blood pressure, or the serotonin syndrome.
Allow at least 2 weeks to pass between taking one of these medicines (Meridia or an MAO inhibitor) and taking the other
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How should this medicine be used?
Meridia comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or ph
armacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Take Meridia exactly as directed. Meridia can be habit forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than
your doctor tells you to.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Meridia may increase blood pressure or heart rate and your doctor will check for these effects. Your doctor may need to adjust y
our dose.
If Meridia does not seem to be working well, do not increase your dosage. Check with your doctor.
Do not drink excess alcohol while taking Meridia.
Notify your do
ctor as soon as possible if you develop a skin rash, hives, or other allergic symptoms.
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What side effects may occur?
Dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, back pain, stomach upset or constipation may occur the first few days as you body adjusts to the medication. Stop MERIDIA if you experience; rash, hives, seizur
es, worsening of vision, decreased amount of urine or unusual bleeding or bruising. Stop MERIDIA immediately if you experience the following side effects or symptoms of toxicity; excitement, restlessn
ess, loss of consciousness, confusion, agitation, weakness, shivering, clumsiness or unsteadiness, fast heartbeat, large-unchanging pupils, vomiting, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain
s, swelling of feet/ankles or legs, fainting, disorientation, depression, high fever, eye pain, tremor or increased sweating.
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Why is this medication prescribed?
Meridia (si-BYOO-tra-meen) is used together with a reduced-calorie diet to help you lose weight and to help keep the lost weight from returning. Meridia is thought to work by increasing the activity o
f certain chemicals, called norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. This medicine is approved for use only in people who are very overweight.
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