Meridia Mechanism:
Meridia has Sibutramine Hydrochloride Monohydrate as its active ingredient. Meridia basically operates on two chemicals of the brain called Serotonin and Norepinephrine, which affect mood and appetite. Meridia boosts up the levels of these chemical messengers, thereby suppressing appetite and the mood for food. According to clinical studies, Meridia helps to reduce weight, although weight loss gradually reduces after about 12 months. Meridia alone won’t help in weight loss, if you don’t complement it with other weight loss therapies.

Meridia Safety Information:
If Meridia doesn’t help you to achieve a weight reduction of at least four pounds within four weeks, then Meridia is unlikely to lead to significant weight loss in the long run. Meridia should be avoided by pregnant and breast feeding women, children, older adults and people who have allergies to the class of drug. It would be wise to talk to a doctor if a person has the following medical problems:

• Eating disorder like anorexia nervosa
• History of heart diseases
• Seizures
• Glaucoma
• Gallstones
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Kidney problems
• Liver disease
• Mental retardation

You may also need to change the dose of Meridia if you take certain drugs that react to Sibutramine. You must consult your doctor if you are taking the following medications:

• MAO inhibitors
• Moclobemide
• Venlafaxine
• Other appetite suppressants
• SSRIs
• Street drugs
• Lithium
• Pentazocine
• Tryptophan
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Cough medicines
• Few Tricyclic antidepressants
• Buspirone
• Levodopa

Meridia Dosage:
Meridia is supplied in oral capsules of 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg. Meridia can be taken with or without food. The dosage of Meridia may vary with the physical and mental conditions, and the age of the person. The Meridia dosage is subject to change as per the doctor’s advice. The normal dosage of Meridia is as follows:

• 10 mg once a day in the morning for adults
• The dosage may be gradually increased or decreased
• 15 mg is the maximum dose recommended in 24 hours
• Children must strictly adhere to the doctor’s prescription

Meridia Storage:

• Meridia should be stored in room temperature between 15 to 30 degree Celsius
• Meridia is best stored in room temperature of 25 degree Celsius
• Meridia should be stored away from heat and light
• Meridia should be stored away from moisture
• Meridia should be stored in air tight containers

Meridia Side Effects:
There are other effects of Meridia that may have negative impact on a person taking it. Side effects cannot be predicted, as it may happen in one and not occur in others. Some of the commonly known side effects of Meridia are:

More Common: Abdominal pain, acid indigestion, anxiety, back pain, constipation, cough increase, depression, dizziness, dry mouth, flu symptoms, headache, increased appetite, insomnia, joint pain, loss of appetite, loss of strength, nasal inflammation, nausea, nervousness, painful menstruation, rash, sinus inflammation, stomachache, sore throat

Less Common: Acne, abnormal thinking, agitation, allergic reaction, arthritis, bronchitis, changes in taste, chest pain, dental problems, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, ear pain, ear problems, emotional changes, fever, gas, heavy uterine bleeding, herpes simplex virus, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, itching, laryngitis, leg cramps, menstrual problems, migraine, muscle ache, neck pain, rectal problems, reduced vision, stimulation, stomach and intestinal inflammation, sweating, swelling, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, tingling skin sensation, urinary tract infection, vaginal yeast infection, vomiting

Rare: Bleeding problems, kidney problems, seizures or epilepsy, weight gain, red spots on skin