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USES: This medication is used to reduce excess body weight (obesity).
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| Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Meridia
Uses
This medication is used to reduce excess body weight (obesity).
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.
- This medication should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet.
- Blood pressure and pulse may be measured and laboratory tests performed to monitor side effects.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Photos
How
To Use - HOW TO USE THIS MEDICATION: Take by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.
- The full effect on weight may require four to six weeks.
- Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming.
- Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval.
- Over time, this drug may not work as well as it did at the beginning.
- Consult your doctor if weight increases.
Side
Effects - Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping may occur.
- If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
- Report promptly headache, dizziness, back pain, arthritis, increased appetite, stomach pain, mood/mental changes, persistent sore throat or sinus congestion.
- Unlikely but report promptly chest pain, pounding or unusually fast heart beats, flushing or fever, increased thirst, arm or leg swelling, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, numbness, sweating, or painful menstruation.
- Very unlikely but report promptly seizures, bruising, change in frequency, amount or color of urine, painful urination, or yellowing skin or eyes.
- In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing.
- If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before using this drug, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure or heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow angle), or history of gallstones.
- Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side effects of this medication.
- Since this drug may cause dizziness or fatigue, use extreme caution if operating machinery or performing hazardous tasks (e.g., driving).
- It is recommended that women of child-bearing age should use effective birth control while taking this medication.
- This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
- Consult your doctor before using this drug.
- It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk.
- Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
- Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
- Use cautiously.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug
Interactions - Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially other weight reducing agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan), antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric medications (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan), tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl), ketoconazole, erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine or any drugs which can cause drowsiness, including certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), sedatives and anti-seizure drugs.
- Antihistamines and decongestants may be found in many nonprescription drugs for cough and cold.
- Consult your pharmacist.
- MAO Inhibitors (see above) and this drug should not be taken together.
- If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug.
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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| User Medicine
Opinions for Meridia |
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |
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