Meridia FAQ

What is Meridia?

Meridia is the brand name of the prescription weight loss drug for the obese, sibutramine, that has been approved for use for use as an aid to losing weight in appropriate patients. It is also known as Reductil outside of the US and Canada, but there is no diffference between Meridia and Reductil.

Who is Meridia suitable for?

Meridia may be prescribed for you by a doctor if you have a BMI greater than 30, or you have a BMI greater than 27 together with other risk factors such as dyslipidaemia or type II diabetes. Note that Meridia is not suitable for you if you have high blood pressure, as one of the side effects of Meridia is to increase blood pressure levels. Indeed, if your blood pressure is in excess of 140/90 you should not be prescribed Meridia. You should be prepared to follow a restricted calorie regime and increase the amount of exercise you take (following the advice of your physician). Your physician may stop prescribing Meridia for you if you do not lose at least 2Kg of weight during the first 4 weeks of treatment, or 5% of your initial bodyweight after the first three months of treatment. He may also decide to increase the dose from 10mg per day to 15 mg per day.

How do I take Meridia?

The dose is one 10mg capsule taken once a day with water, in the morning. Certain patients who do not respond adequately to 10mg / day of Meridia (i.e. they did not lose 2Kg of weight) may be prescribed 15mg / day Meridia by their doctor instead, provided that the 10mg dose was well tolerated.

What results can I expect?

Clinical trials have shown that Meridia is moderately successful in producing weight loss in patients who are obese. 85% of patients who took Meridia lost at least 5% of their initial body weight, with 57% losing at least 10% of their initial bodyweight.

Will I regain the weight lost?

Quite possibly. It is likely that weight will be regained once treatment with Meridia stops if the consumption of food returns to pre treatment levels.

How does Meridia work?

Meridia is an appetite suppressant. It works by increasing serotonin levels, by blocking the action of the nerve cells that release and reabsorb seratonin. The increased levels of seratonin act directly on the brain to make you feel more full, so that you eat less. Hence, you lose weight.

What are the most common side effects?

The most common side effects include trouble sleeping, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and a dry mouth. See side effects for more detailed information.

How much weight will I lose?

Whilst many people who take Meridia report that they can eat less and feel full sooner, you will still have to try not to eat too much yourself. Clinical trials show that most patients lose between 10 and 15% of their initial bodyweight, whilst taking Meridia in conjunction with a healthier lifestyle. In one year long trial, participants who followed a reduced calorie diet and took 10mg of Meridia daily lost on average of 10 pounds, compared to those who took a placebo and followed a lower calorie diet, who lost 3.5 pounds. Most of the weight is lost during the first 6 months of taking the drud, thereafter the weight loss is maintained.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

You should ensure that you see a doctor regularly whilst taking this drug, so that he can check your blood pressure and heart rate, because sibutramine is known to elevate blood pressure and heart rate in some patients, to varying degrees. You should also see a doctor straight away if you suffer from any shortness of breath, chest pain or swollen ankles.

Is it available on private prescription?

Yes, either from a private clinic or online.