Many people are facing the problem of obesity in today’s time. Obesity is not a disease, but a medical condition in which an individual starts accumulating excessive body fat and cholesterol. As a result, people start gaining more weight. An increase in body weight is always bad and should be managed. If not controlled effectively, serious conditions start developing.
There are a number of ways to control obesity. Medicines as well as specialized surgeries are available for people suffering from this health condition. One commonly debated medicine for the treatment of obesity is Meridia. What is Meridia? Can we use Meridia for weight loss? We will learn all these aspects from this article.
A Brief Overview of Meridia:
Meridia is a prescribed-only anorexiant that has the ability to suppress the appetite of a person. Anorexiants are categorized under the class of drugs that act on the brain to control satiety. Meridia works by affecting brain chemicals that control weight. In October 2010, this drug was removed from the US markets.
Sibutramine is the new brand name of Meridia. In 1988, Sibutramine was developed by Boots in Nottingham, United Kingdom. Abbott Laboratories sold it under several brand names, including Meridia. Meridia also acts as an aphrodisiac drug or a stimulant drug. After taking it, individuals feel energetic and find themselves burning more calories. Meridia is often taken along with diet for obesity treatment.
Use of Meridia Drug for Weight Loss:
If a doctor is still recommending Meridia to their patients, they can take it. Generally, a large dose of this weight-loss drug is not suggested because it is known to cause cardiovascular problems in some people. Under a doctor’s prescription, Meridia is generally taken once a day. Individuals may be suggested to take it with or without food.
According to studies, after taking Meridia for 4 weeks together with a low-calorie diet, individuals should shed at least 4 pounds (1.81 kg) approximately. Anyone who is not able to lose 4 pounds must get a consultation again because this medicine may sometimes not work as expected. In such a situation, doctors may monitor their pulse and blood pressure.
Meridia for weight loss should not be used for more than 2 years. This medicine should be kept at room temperature and away from moisture, light, and heat. It should never be shared with others. Sometimes, individuals may forget to take the dose of Meridia. They can skip this dose without much concern only if the time to take the next one is near.
Things to Avoid When Taking Meridia Medicine for Weight Loss:
Below we will look at the things that must be avoided before or while taking this medication to lose pounds.
- Anyone who has been taking an MAO inhibitor in the last two weeks is suggested to not take Meridia to reduce weight. Some popular inhibitors are Phenelzine (Nardil), Rasagiline (Azilect), Tranylcypromine (Parnate), Furazolidone (Furoxone), Isocarboxazid (Marplan) and Selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl).
- Individuals who are allergic to Meridia should avoid it. Some people may experience allergic symptoms while using this medication. They should speak to their doctors if the allergic symptoms start to occur.
- Meridia interacts adversely with the liver. Hence, if someone is already suffering from any liver disease, he or she must avoid it. Doctors could adjust the dosage of Meridia after examination.
- Those who are taking any stimulant diet pill must avoid taking Meridia. It may interact with these pills and cause several health issues.
- Individuals who are suffering from gallstones or have a history of gallstones must consult their doctors before taking Meridia. Otherwise, the outcome could be dangerous for overall health.
- Individuals who are suffering from an under-active thyroid must first consult with doctors before taking the dosage of Meridia. Doctors may suggest some tests or adjust the quantity for such patients.
- Anyone who is using narcotic pain medicines must consult with the doctor first because Meridia interacts with these medicines.
- Those experiencing epilepsy or seizures should avoid taking this medicine for weight loss by themselves as it can cause other health complications. If someone wants to take Meridia, he or she must get a medical consultation first.
Interaction of Meridia with Some Major Medicines:
This weight-loss medication interacts with certain medicines. Here is a look at what happens when Meridia interacts with them.
- Amphetamine: When Meridia is combined with Amphetamine, it can increase the risk of Serotonin syndrome. People experiencing this syndrome may feel faster heartbeats.
- Wellbutrin: Individuals may experience seizures if they take Meridia together with Wellbutrin. Elder people are more susceptible to this health complication.
- Aspirin: When taken with aspirin, Meridia increases the chances of internal bleeding. Anyone already suffering from liver disease or kidney disease may be more susceptible to bleeding.
- Pregabalin: Some side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and others may occur if anyone takes Meridia along with Pregabalin.
- Metformin: Metformin is a medicine that doctors may recommend for diabetics. Individuals taking Metformin with Meridia may experience a drop in blood sugar levels.
Side Effects Of Using Meridia As A Weight Loss Stimulant:
This section will focus on the side effects of Meridia. Keep in mind that this is not the entire list of side effects. In case you feel discomfort of any kind after using this medicine, immediately inform your doctor.
- Very stiff muscles
- Heavy feeling
- Chest pain
- Feeling of illness
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Sudden numbness
- Sudden weakness
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Worsening shortness of breath
- Easy bruising
- Severe headache
- Blurred vision
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Feeling depressed
- Back pain
- Insomnia
Conclusion:
Losing weight is important for obese people because otherwise, serious health complications would degrade their quality of life. These severe complications may range from high blood pressure to heart attack. Healthcare professionals may prescribe Meridia for obese individuals.
Since this weight-loss drug is a prescription-only drug, individuals must not take it on their own. Doctors and other healthcare professionals prescribe the dosage of Meridia after taking several tests. These tests are necessary to find out underlying medical conditions in patients. Combination of this drug with other drugs can be dangerous for health.
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