Encyclopedia

U.S. Brand Names

Meridia®

Canadian Brand Names

Meridia®

Mexican Brand Names

Ectiva; Raductil; Reductil

Pharmacologic Category

Anorexiant; Sympathomimetic

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

There is a risk of seratonin syndrome when using a migraine medicine with this medicine. The syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in the body. Signs include: agitation, changes in blood pressure, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, significant change in balance, and significant change in thinking clearly and logically. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to sibutramine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, fast heartbeat, heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, stroke or weakened heart.

• If you are taking a weight loss medicine.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat obesity.

How does it work?

• Sibutramine acts in the brain to decrease appetite.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine early in the day to avoid sleep problems.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• If you have glaucoma, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nervous and excitable.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Not hungry.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Inability to sleep.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Significant change in balance.

• Agitation, twitching, sweating, or muscle stiffness.

• Very nervous and excitable.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe headache.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:39:32.0

Modified: 2008-01-28 15:02:25.0

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