Contraindications

Meridia should not be prescribed in the following cases:

1. Patients who are hypersensitive or allergic to sibutramine or the non-actove ingredients of the pill. The capsule contains lactose, therefore Meridia is not suitable for patients with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or patients with galactose malabsorbtion.
   
   
2. Patients who are obese due to reasons other than excessive food consumption, such as an underactive thyroid gland.
   
   
3. Women who are pregnant or lactating.
   
   
4. Patients who have a history of eating disorders, including but not limited to anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
   
   
5. Patients who have a psychiatric illness, including depression or bipolar syndrome.
   
   
6. Patients with Tourette's syndrome, as Meridia may exacerbate tics.
   
   
7. Patients with a history of heart disease, heart failure, tachycardia, stroke, Transient Ischaemic Attack, arterial occlusive disease, cerebrovascular disease or arrhythmia.
   
   
8. Patients with blood pressure elevated in excess of 145 / 90 mmHg.
   
   
9. Patients with severely impaired function of the liver or kidneys.
   
   
10. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with urinary retention.
    
    
11. Patients with phaeochromocytoma
    
    
12. Patients with narrow angle glaucoma
    
    
13. Patients who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse
    
    
14. Patients aged under 18 or over 65, as meridia has not been tested in these age groups.

This list should not be taken solely as a guide - there may well be other classes of patients who are contraindicated to the prescription of Meridia.