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Used to reduce excess body weight (Sibutramine - Oral)
Uses
This medication is used to reduce excess body weight (obesity).
How to take this medication
Take by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The full
effect on weight may require four to six weeks. Do not increase your dose, take
it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because
this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a longer period of time, do
not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval. Over time,
this drug may not work as well as it did at the beginning. Consult your doctor
if weight increases.
Side effects
Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping may occur. If these
effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Precautions
Before using Meridia, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including
any allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood
pressure or heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating
disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow angle), or history of
gallstones. Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side effects of this
medication. It is recommended that women of child-bearing age should use
effective birth control while taking this medication. This drug is not
recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this
drug. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of
the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Meridia is not
recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Elderly patients may be
more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use,
especially other weight reducing agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can
raise blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine,
phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan),
antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline,
fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric medications (e.g., MAO
Inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine,
tranylcypromine), drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan),
tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine, pentazocine,
fentanyl), ketoconazole, erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine or any drugs
which can cause drowsiness, including certain antihistamines (e.g.,
diphenhydramine), sedatives and anti-seizure drugs. Antihistamines and
decongestants may be found in many nonprescription drugs for cough and cold.
Consult your pharmacist. MAO Inhibitors (see above) and Meridia should not be
taken together. If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait 2 weeks before
starting the other drug.
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