Meridia                                    Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate

Purpose          To help you successfully lose weight and maintain your weight loss.

Action             Blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in the brain so you have a decreased appetite.

Dose                Initially 10 mg once a day.  Dose may be titrated up to 15 mg once a day and after 4 weeks if no improvement.  May place on 5 mg once a day if unable to tolerate 10mg dose.

You should not take Meridia if any of the following apply:

·         Currently taking an MAOI or centrally-acting appetite suppressant

·         Anorexia

·         Uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension

·         Coronary artery disease

·        Congestive heart failure

·         Arrhythmias

·         Stroke

·         Pregnant or breastfeeding a child

·         Severe renal impairment or hepatic dysfunction

·         Seizures

·         Narrow-angle glaucoma

·         Pulmonary hypertension

Possible side effects:

·         Dry mouth, anorexia, insomnia, constipation, headache, increased appetite, dizziness, nervousness, GI upset, increased blood pressure/pulse, mydriasis, peripheral edema, arthritis, leg cramps, abnormal thinking, fever, dyspnea, pruritus, bruising.

·         Meridia should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet to aid in weight loss.  Patients should have a body mass index of at least 30 or 27 in the presence of other risk factors prior to initiation of the drug.