Meridia Review

Meridia Review - In November of 1997, only a few months after the withdrawal of fenfluramine and redux the FDA approved Meridia.  Meridia works by acting on the appetite control center in the brain. Studies have shown that using Meridia, along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, helped patients lose weight and maintain weight loss for up to two years. 

The active component in Meridia, sibutramine, works in the area of the brain that signals the sense of fullness. Meridia does not suppress appetite, which is your signal to start eating.  Meridia blocks the re-uptake of the brain chemicals (serotonin and norepinephrine) which help adjust the sense of fullness.  Fullness is your signal to stop eating.  Having a sense of fullness means you may experience satisfaction with less food.  Meridia keeps serotonin levels elevated, short-circuiting these mentally fueled cravings.

The drug also boosts adrenaline levels, curbing overall appetite.  Sibutramine should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet.  Always consult your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program. 

What we like about this plan  This drug is treating obesity, therefore only people with a BMI of 30 (or 27 in the presence of other risk factors) should be taking this drug.  The principal goal of this drug is not necessarily to make you look better, but to help you lose enough weight to reduce health risks connected with obesity. This pill has solid good clinical studies thus far, so for an obese person who needs support, this might be a place to start.  They have a free website support group for users of Meridia to get recipes, customized menu plans, and other support which can be a informative tool for users.

What we dislike about this plan  Side effects include dry mouth, insomnia, constipation, headaches and chest and back pain.  Sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and pulse in some patients.  Therefore all patients treated with sibutramine should have regular monitoring of blood pressure and pulse.  The following side effects are rare but can be serious and require immediate medical attention: cardiac arrhythmias, and mental/mood changes.

How healthy is this plan?  This drug is decade old, without any big read flags to date. If one is obese and has health issues, this might be a short term idea to allow one self to begin following a diet and exercise program without having the distraction of obsessing about food.  Despite a petition by Ralph nader-founded NGO Public Citizen, the FDA made no attempts to withdraw the drug, but was part of a Senate hearing in 2005. Dr. David Graham, FDA "whistleblower", gave evidence before a Senate Finance Committee hearing that sibutramine may be more hazardous than the conditions it is used for. 

A large randomized-controlled study with 10,742 patients examined whether or not sibutramine reduces the risk for cardiovascular complications in people at high risk for heart disease and concluded that "Six-week treatment with sibutramine appears to be efficacious, tolerable and safe in this high-risk population for whom sibutramine is usually contraindicated.

Here’s the Bottom Line   If the pill can be taken properly (i.e. a diet plan and an exercise plan), and temporarily, it might be worth trying if you can effort the expense. Majority of people interviewed that have tried Meridia experience side effects (one not mentioned above is itching) that were enough to have them stop taking it.  If you still believe this pill is right for you to assist with eating control, consult a qualified physician; have your blood pressure monitored during your trials, and get on a healthy lifestyle plan.

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