Feedback on Meridia Side Effects and Usage, page 18
About Meridia
If you use Meridia, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Mixed review on Meridia
Date: 10/14/2009
I took meridia last year for 4 months to shed some long overdue baby weight. I ended up losing 55lbs!! I felt great using it but had to force myself to not skip too many meals. I did have dry mouth and some slight headaches and stomach aches only when I ate too much…but other than those, which are not alarming to me, I felt good. I consider this pill magic! Note that I did jumpstart my weight loss with 2 weeks of phentermine, then followed with meridia. I just another baby and am already on meridia again to help with the weight loss (no, I am not breastfeeding). I’m hoping it will prove magical again however I am noticing that I am often hungry. I think that is because I am home with the baby and not working ( which keeps me mentally over-occupied to think about food!). While this pill is costly (frown) I do recommend it for those who can’t seem to get a break with traditional dieting and exercise.
Steph
Subj: Controlling my appetite
Date: 12/10/2009
I have only been taking Meridia for about 1 week and have already lost 9 1/2 lbs! I take 15 mg pills. Have not even started having to exercise yet, either, with it. I know the weight loss will prob. start slowing down after week 1 & I’ll have to start walking & doing weights maybe with it. I also take a tranquilizer (anti-anxiety pill) with it, which helps make me not so jittery, which I did feel the first day and a few other days. That tranquilizer definitely helps the hiper feeling I get from the Meridia. So I have very few side effects from it. I have about 80 more lbs to go. I hope it keeps working this well controlling my appetite!
Amy
Subj: Lost zero pounds!
Date: 12/19/2009
I’m 67. I tried Meridia for 1 month, spring 2009. I quit after losing ZERO pounds and spending $115. I exercised regularly (still do) and ate less than usual, not 3 squares a day which I know is bad. Diligent in Weight Watchers 2 years ago for 3 months: lost 1/2 pound. Nutrisystem last year for 3 months: lost 10 pounds at $100 per pound (as if I were foie gras), so I stopped and gained all back. Most of their stuff was lousy to boot. Rheumatoid arthritis since I was 17, mostly all burned out now thinks one MD. Could I be insulin resistant? Labs say no. Is Mediform the same as Meridia? Suggestions?
Colorado Senior Chubby
AskDocWeb: No Mediform is not the same thing as Meridia. There are Mediform calipers, a Mediform insurance company, a Mediform claims business, the online medical claims system, even a Mediform memory foam mattress. If your lab tests say that you aren’t insulin resistant then that is not likely to be a problem.
Subj: Side effect of Meridia on pregnancy?
Date: 12/30/2009
I have been taking meridia for a month and I feel good and lost 2 kg but the problem is that I got pregnant in that month. What is the side effect of it on my pregnancy? Pls advice.
MARWA
AskDocWeb: If you do become pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Meridia appears in breast milk; not for use in breastfeeding.
Subj: Dry eye symptoms
Date: 1/27/2010
I have been taking 10mg for about 20 days. Initially I had bad headaches but that has gone away for the most part. But I have developed significant dry eye in the last few days. I don’t want to stop taking it because it does appear to be working well. Anything I can do to stop the dry eye symptoms or will this likely go away?
Laura
AskDocWeb: Dry eye symptoms are not listed as one of the possible side effects of Meridia.
Subj: Meridia with Wellbutrin
Date: 3/21/2010
Can Meridia and Wellbutrin be taken together along with the Thyroid medications, Levothyroxine and Ctyomel?
Rebecca
AskDocWeb: The database lists a major drug interaction between Meridia and Wellbutrin which, depending on the dosage, could increase the risk of seizures by up to ten times. If you need the help of drugs to lose weight please allow your doctor to choose which one would work best for you.
Subj: Rash
Date: 3/30/2010
I took Meridia for 5 days. By the fourth day, I noticed an odd rash on my previously very clear face. By the evening of day 5, the rash was much more noticeable. I stopped taking it as of yesterday, but woke with the rash all over my face, neck, and a bit on my arms. I was waking each morning with my tongue feeling slightly swollen and incredibly dry, as well.
Angela
Subj: Inhibiting weight loss?
Date: 4/1/2010
I am a thyroid patient and am currently on 50 mcg of Levothyroxine and 25mcg of Liothyronine. My doctor has also prescribed Wellbutrin for depression and Meridia for weight loss. I have been on the Wellbutrin and Meridia for just over a month with no weight loss. Could it be possible that the Wellbutrin or Meridia are interfering with the thyroid medications and inhibiting weight loss?
Rebecca
AskDocWeb: We haven’t seen anything to indicate that thyroid medications might inhibit weight loss but there is a major possible drug interaction between Meridia (sibutramine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). There is a risk of seizures that increases with the dosage of Wellbutrin. The estimated incidence of seizures is about 0.1% at dosages up to 300 mg/day and 0.4% at dosages between 300 to 450 mg/day. However, the incidence of seizures increases almost ten times at dosages between 450 mg and 600 mg/day. This risk may also be increased when taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, neuroleptic agents, central nervous system stimulants, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, other tricyclic compounds (cyclobenzaprine, phenothiazines), systemic steroids, and/or any substance that can reduce the seizure threshold (carbapenems, cholinergic agents, fluoroquinolones, interferons, chloroquine, mefloquine, lindane, theophylline), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics such as Meridia). These agents often increase the possibility of epileptic events and may have additive effects when combined. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor if there is a history of seizures in you or your family.
Subj:
Date: 4/4/2010
I have been taking Meridia for less than 2 months and it is working great with some insomnia and dry mouth. I am in great health with excellent dental hygiene but yesterday one of my teeth chipped. Could you please tell me a little more about the potential dental side effects? I also wonder how it affects the fingernails – I have never had good nails but they seem to be even worse than usual. Thanks
C.
AskDocWeb: There is nothing listed for Meridia about effects on fingernails. The National Institute of Health lists the potential dental side effects of Meridia as “tooth disorder” which occurs in one percent or less of users. (Source) Of course that is not very helpful. A tooth disorder could be anything from toothache to loose teeth, cavities, pulpitis, periapical abscess, impacted teeth, malocclusion, abnormal tooth color, abnormal tooth enamel, etc. but they don’t give details. Hopefully more readers will comment about the specifics of their dental problems while taking Meridia.
Subj: Acne?
Date: 4/16/2010
This is my 3rd time using Meridia. I lost 30 lbs. each time the first 2 times I used it then I would reach a plateau. Three days after I started this time, I found out I had high cholesterol and elevated blood sugar. I thought the doctor would tell me to quit the Meridia, but she said to keep taking it. THIS time, I am really watching what I eat. I am trying to follow a diabetic diet. I have cut out potatoes, white bread, cookies, and chocolate candy. My stomach does not growl from hunger, which is so nice. Smaller portions satisfy me. I have lost over 20 lbs. in a month and I haven’t really exercised yet. I am on 10 mg. I tried 15 mg. at one time but I didn’t notice a difference. Is acne a side affect? My cheeks are starting to break out and I am in my 50’s.
Cindy
AskDocWeb: Although acne is not a common side effect of Meridia it does sometimes occur. It is even less likely with the lower doses.
Subj: Panic about the possibility of regaining weight
Date: 4/19/2010
I started Meridia June 9th 2009 on 10MG and lost 6 lbs in the 1st month. The MD changed me to 15MG and I have been taking this dose since July. It is now April 19th…I did not start seriously trying to lose weight until January, practically wasting 6 months of time. With a reduced caloric intake and daily YMCA visits, I have lost 60 lbs and am extatic! Almost a complete 40 pounds was since January. Now to my issue/question: This is my last month on Meridia 15 mg, I feel GREAT, I think that I look great, but what happens when I stop taking the meds? Thin for Life by Anne Fletcher says most people who take meds for weightloss will most likely regain. I am at the Y almost everyday…I have changed my eating habbits (Since I never had portion control) and measure what I eat so it’s a proper portion… BUT, I cannot get over how petrified I am to re-gain weight, or be a large person again. I so don’t want that. I am just beside myself trying to figure out what might happen if I stop taking this medication. 60 pounds is not a joke, nor is heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. I am hoping that my portioned eating and work outs keep the weight off, but what would i do if it doesn’t? Sorry, I am just pannicing…
Christina
AskDocWeb: It may help to know that those most likely to regain weight after discontinuing a diet pill are the ones who didn’t change their eating habits and failed to increase their physical activity. And since you have eliminated both of those reasons for regaining weight, you have a very good chance of keeping your weight under control. Congratulations!
Subj: No difference
Date: 4/23/2010
I have been taking Meridia for 4 days now and haven’t noticed any difference. I feel just as hungry as I always do. Does this medication take time to work?
Antonia
AskDocWeb: Meridia does take some time to work but not days. You doctor may have started you out at the lowest dosage to find out if that would work or not. And if it isn’t working then let your doctor know about it.
Subj: How long will it take?
Date: 5/10/2010
My husband has been taking Meridia for about 4 weeks. He has always been a positive, upbeat person, but the past few days he has acted depressed and anxious. Things that usually never bother him made him very upset. I contacted his doctor, and she agreed with me that he should stop taking the Meridia. How long will it take to get out of his system? I am very concerned about this.
Sunnie
AskDocWeb: Studies have shown that approximately 85% of a single dose of Meridia is excreted in urine and feces over a 15-day period so it may take a few weeks to get completely out of his system.
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