Meridia (sibutramine) approved by Nice

Nice, the UK watchdog that approves new drugs for use within the NHS (National Health Service in the UK) has recommended the use of Meridia. The date of the approval was 17th October, 2001. Here is a summary of Nice's findings.

The drug has been approved by Nice for use for the treatment of obesity with the following recommendations:

• The patient must be aged between 18 and 65 years of age, and have seriously tried themselves to lose weight by diet and exercise.
  
  
• They must have a BMI in excess of 30, or a BMI in excess of 27 with additional risk factors, such as Type II diabetes or high cholesterol (but NOT high blood pressure).
  
  
• They should only continue to be prescribed Meridia for more than 4 weeks only if they have lost 2Kg of weight. They should only continue beyond 3 months if they have lost 5% or more of their initial bodyweight.
  
  
• Treatment is not recommended to last longer than one year.
  
  
• Patients prescribed Meridia should be offered advice on diet and exercise, and counselled as to how they can change their behaviour to make overeating less likely.
  
  
• Meridia can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, patients taking Meridia should have their blood pressure checked regularly. Increases in blood pressure may lead to treatment with Meridia being discontinued. Indeed, Meridia should not be prescribed to any patient who already has high blood pressure (145/90 or higher).
  
  
• There is no evidence that prescribing Meridia to an obese person alongside other slimming drugs (eg Xenical) provides any benefits.