Although there are many over-the-counter diet pills available, prescription pills are still the best option. Not only do they have to be taken under medical supervision, but they have also been studied and put through clinical trials to ensure their safety. Meridia is one of the prescription pills available that helps control appetite.
What Is Meridia
Meridia is the brand name of the prescription drug sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate. It is sold by prescription and only to people who are obese, with a body mass index, BMI, of 30 or more. Meridia works by affecting the brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite, making you feel full on little food and helping you control cravings and emotional eating.
Effectiveness
According to the FDA's Office of New Drugs, Meridia is only mildly effective. Experts found that long-term users of Meridia lose just 2.5 percent more weight than people taking no diet pills. Meridia should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and a fitness program.
Non-Prescription Meridia
Meridia is not available over the counter, but the drug sibutramine is sometimes added to OTC weight loss pills. An example is "Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules," which contains sibutramine, bitter orange and mulberry leaf, all of which are stimulants. The pill can cause the same side effects as Meridia.
Safety Concerns
Meridia was recalled voluntarily from the market on October 2010. The company that produces Meridia, Abbott Laboratories, agreed to the recall after the FDA showed reports of the pills causing heart problems. The recall might be temporary, depending on what further studies show regarding the pills' safety. Possible side effects of Meridia include increased blood pressure, liver disorders and kidney disease.
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