The Meridia weight-loss pill is one weapon in the arsenal to aid in weight loss and maintenance of weight loss. Available only through prescription, Meridia is intended to be used along with a calorie-reduction diet plan. In October 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned further prescriptions of Meridia due to concerns about serious medication side effects.
Meridia is the trade name given to sibutramine by Abbott, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes the medication. The FDA first approved Meridia for use as a weight loss drug in 1997. According to Reuters, Abbott netted over $30 billion in Meridia sales in 2009, but expected only $30 million in sales in 2010.
Indications
RxList explains that health care providers may prescribe Meridia for the treatment of obesity, both for weight loss and weight management. Recommended use of Meridia is for obese people with an initial body mass index equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2 or those with an initial body mass index equal to or greater than 27 kg/m2 with other risk factors such as diabetes or controlled hypertension, states RxList.
Considerations
Drugs.com advises that the prescribing health care provider must take into consideration a number of factors before treating a person with Meridia. People on MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor drug for depression) therapy or who have taken MAOIs within 14 days cannot take Meridia. Anyone with an allergy to sibutramine or any of the other ingredients in Meridia should not take the medication. Anyone with severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, an eating disorder, or a history of stroke, heart disease or coronary artery should also not take Meridia.
Expert Insight
"The New England Journal of Medicine" published the study, "Effect of Sibutramine on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Subjects," in its Sept. 2, 2010 edition. The study involved over 9,800 overweight or obese subjects who had pre-existing conditions of diabetes or cardiovascular disease or both. The double-blind study followed the subjects for an average of 3.4 years of treatment with either sibutramine or a placebo. Study authors concluded the long-term use of subtramine resulted in increased risk of non-fatal stroke and myocardial infarction in those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Warning
The Internet contains sites that promote the sale of Meridia without a prescription. Consult your health care provider before initiating therapy with this weight loss medication.
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