Who should take Meridia?
Meridia is prescribed to help people who are classified as obese (having a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher) lose weight. In some circumstances, doctors may prescribe Meridia for people with BMIs of 27 to 30 when they have other conditions (such as diabetes or sleep apnea) that are made worse by being overweight.

Why is Meridia prescribed?
Meridia is used, in conjunction with a weight loss diet and regular exercise, to help you lose weight. Meridia works by suppressing your appetite. In other words, it makes you feel less hungry, so you eat less.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Follow the diet and exercise program your doctor has given you. Meridia works best in combination with a weight loss diet and regular exercise program.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from Meridia are not common, they can occur. For a detailed list of possible side effects,

What special precautions should I follow before taking Meridia?
Because Meridia (sibutramine) can raise blood pressure, people who take it should have regular blood pressure checks. If you have high blood pressure, you should not take Meridia.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, even if you stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.

If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, make sure to tell your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking Meridia, call your doctor.

How should Meridia be used?
Meridia come in dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg of sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate per capsule.

The recommended starting dose of Meridia is 10 mg taken once daily with or without food. If there is inadequate weight loss the dose may be increased after four weeks to a total of 15 mg once daily. The 5 mg dose should be reserved for patients who do not tolerate the 10 mg dose.

Doses above 15 mg daily are not recommended. In most clinical trials Meridia was given in the morning.

Most people take the Meridia for up to 12 months; the length of treatment depends on how you respond to the medication. Meridia can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.