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What is this medicine
Meridia helps the seriously overweight shed pounds and keep them off. It is especially recommended for those who in addition to being overweight have other health problems such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet.
Meridia works by boosting levels of certain chemical messengers in the nervous system, including serotonin,
dopamine, and norepinephrine.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Children¡XStudies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of Meridia in children with use in other age groups.
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How to Use
The recommended starting dose of MERIDIA is 10-milligrams administered once daily with or without food. If there is inadequate weight loss, the dose may be titrated after 4 weeks to a total of 15-mill
igrams taken once daily. The 5-milligram dose should be reserved for those patients that do not tolerate the 10-milligram dose. Blood pressure and heart rate changes should betaken into consideration
when making decisions regarding dose titration. Take this medication as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Use in combination with other appetite suppressant medicine is ge
nerally not recommended.
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Side Effects of This Medicine
Use Meridia with caution if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; it could make the problem worse. Avoid Meridia completely if you've had a stroke or suffer from heart disease, heart failure, or
irregular heartbeat. Also avoid it if you have severe kidney or liver problems; the drug has not been tested under these conditions. Seizures are a rare, but possible, side effect. If you've had seizu
res in the past, use Meridia with caution. If you have a seizure while taking the drug, stop using it and call your doctor immediately.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Meridia may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or poor judgment. Be sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, operate machinery, or do other things that could be dangerous if you are no
t alert and able to think clearly.
Meridia may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. Howeve
r, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth deca
y, gum disease, and fungus infections.
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MERIDIA is a short-term drug that helps you to start losing weight and then keep on going when you are ready to carry on, on your own. Your body starts to build up a resistance to the effects of MERIDIA after a few weeks of treatment, which
When you are taking Meridia, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Tramadol (e.g., Ultram) or
- Trazodone (e.g., D
esyrel) or
- Tryptophan or
- Venlafaxine (e.g., Effexor)¡XUsing these medicines with Meridia may increase the chance of developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the serot
onin syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or sh
aking, or twitching. If you develop these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible
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