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Usage: Meridia helps the seriously overweight shed pounds and keep them off. It is especially recommended for those who in addition to being overweight have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. Meridia works by boosting levels of certain chemical messengers in the nervous system, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Directions: Meridia can be taken with or without food. --If you miss a dose... Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Make a point of keeping follow-up appointments with your doctor. Meridia can increase your blood pressure, so it's important to have your blood pressure and pulse monitoredat the beginning of therapy and regularly thereafter.
Side Effects: Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Meridia.
Precautions: Use Meridia with caution if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; it could make the problem worse. Avoid Meridia completely if you've had a stroke or suffer from heartdisease, heart failure, or irregular heartbeat. Also avoid it if you have severe kidney orliver problems; the drug has not been tested under these conditions. Seizures are a rare, but possible, side effect. If you've had seizures in the past, use Meridia with caution. If you have a seizure while taking the drug, stop using it and call your doctor immediately. Any drug that acts on the nervous system can theoretically impair judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Meridia does not seem to have this effect, but caution is still in order until you know how the drug affects you. If you have narrow-angle glaucoma or thyroid problems, make sure the doctor knows;Meridia should be used with caution in these circumstances. If you are prone to gallstones, be aware that weight loss can cause more of them to form. Meridia has not been tested in people under 16 years old. It should be used with caution in those over 65. Although it has been classified as a controlled substance (potentiallysubject to abuse), the possibility of developing physical or psychological dependence is low.
Drug Interactions: Remember that Meridia must never be taken within 2 weeks of using an MAO inhibitorsuch as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate. The combination could lead to serious, even fatal, overstimulation. Meridia may also interact with a wide variety of other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, especially weight-reducing agents, decongestants, antidepressants, allergy medications, and cough suppressants that contain ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, orpseudoephedrine. Among the many drugs that pose a potential problem are the following: Alcohol (excessive amounts), Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE). Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. Injection, Migranal Nasal Spray), Dextromethorphan (found in many over-the-counter cough preparations), Fentanyl (Duragesic), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate), Meperidine (Demerol), Naratriptan (Amerge), Paroxetine (Paxil), Pentazocine (Talwin NX, Talacen), Sertraline (Zoloft), Stimulants such as amphetamines, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Adderall, Didrex, and Ionamin, Sumatriptan (Imitrex), Tryptophan (L-Tryptophan, Trofan), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Zolmitriptan (Zomig).
If You Take Too Much: Although doctors have had little experience with overdoses of Meridia, increased heart rate and blood pressure are possible results. Since any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences, seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Missed Dose: If you miss a 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.
Storage: Store Meridia at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
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