sibutramine - oral, Meridia
GENERIC NAME: SIBUTRAMINE - ORAL (sye-BYOU-truh-meen)
BRAND NAME(S): Meridia
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects |
Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes |
Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This drug has been withdrawn from the US and Canadian markets due to problems with safety (increased risk of heart attack and stroke). Talk with your doctor about stopping sibutramine now and about other treatment options.This medication is used along with a low-calorie diet to help people with obesity lose weight. Reducing excess weight helps to prevent or control complications such as heart disease, diabetes, and joint pain. Sibutramine works by affecting the area in your brain that controls hunger, providing you with a sense of fullness and satisfaction.Discuss the risks and benefits of sibutramine with your doctor.This drug should not be used in adults 65 years or older.
HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using sibutramine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with or without food, or as directed by your doctor.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Do not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval. Your dose may need to be gradually reduced, especially if you have been taking this medication for a long time. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.Since this medication can increase your blood pressure and heart rate (pulse), it is important to have regular check-ups to monitor these readings before starting and during treatment with sibutramine. Your doctor will also monitor your weight loss progress and check for side effects (usually checking after 4 weeks, and then after 3-6 months of treatment or as directed) to decide if continued treatment is safe and effective for you.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dry mouth, increased appetite, nausea, strange taste in the mouth, upset stomach, constipation, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, menstrual cramps/pain, headache, flushing, or joint/muscle pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, numbness/tingling of the hands or feet, mental/mood changes (e.g., excitement, restlessness, confusion, depression, rare thoughts of suicide).Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount or color of urine, easy or unusual bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, yellowing eyes or skin, unexplained fever, shaking, unusual sweating, swelling of the arms/legs.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: seizures, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, vision changes, trouble breathing.Sibutramine may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Taking sibutramine with "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, eletriptan) or certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine) and NSRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine) increases the risk of this reaction. Before taking sibutramine, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms: severe mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations, unusual restlessness), loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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