Meridia (Sibutramine)
Sibutramine (Reductil, Meridia) is used together with a reduced-calorie diet to help you lose weight and to help keep the lost weight from returning. Sibutramine is thought to work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals, called norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. Meridia is approved for use only in people who are very overweight.
Take Meridia only as directed. Do not take more of Meridia, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of developing unwanted Meridia side effects, such as high blood pressure.
Follow a reduced-calorie diet while taking Meridia, as directed by your doctor.
Sibutramine may be taken with or without food, on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take it in a certain way, take it as directed.
You must follow a reduced-calorie diet while taking Meridia in order to lose weight and keep the lost weight from returning.
Meridia Dosage
The dose of Sibutramine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the Meridia label. The following information includes only the average doses of Sibutramine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of Meridia.
Meridia dosage for weight loss:
Adults — At first, 10 milligrams (mg) one time a day, usually in the morning. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg of Meridia a day.
Children — Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
If you miss a dose of Meridia
If you miss a dose of Sibutramine and you remember it within 2 to 3 hours, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember the missed dose until later, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage — How to store Meridia
- Keep Meridia out of the reach of children.
- Store Sibutramine away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store Meridia in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause Sibutramine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Meridia or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded Sibutramine is out of the reach of children.
Meridia Side Effects
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON Meridia side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; constipation; dizziness; dry mouth; flu-like symptoms; headache; increased cough; increased or decreased appetite; indigestion; joint pain; migraine; nasal inflammation; nausea; nervousness; painful menstruation; sinus inflammation; sleeplessness; sore throat; upset stomach; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE Sibutramine side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; change in amount of urine; chest pain; clumsiness; confusion; depression; difficulty breathing; disorientation; excitement; eye pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; high fever; increased sweating; large, unchanging pupils; loss of consciousness; one-sided weakness; restlessness; seizures; shivering; shortness of breath; stomach pain; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs; tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision problems; vomiting; weakness.