Feedback on Meridia Side Effects and Usage, page 6
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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: Meridia side effects
Date: 2/20/2006
I started taking Meridia 15mg 3 weeks ago. No real symptoms except dry mouth in the first week. By the end of week 3, I have lost 13lbs but I am having a lot of difficulty breathing. I probably didn’t need to take Meridia at all because I was only slightly overweight, usually very fit with no health or respiratory problems. My blood pressure and heart rate are very low usually. I have now stopped taking it but 3 days later, still can not breathe properly, the taste in my mouth has not subsided and I feel very dizzy. Heart rate and blood pressure remained the same. I’m glad I took it and that the 13lbs are gone but be aware of the side effects and monitor them carefully.
Kim
Subj: Lost 40 pounds
Date: 2/24/2006
I’ve been using Meridia for a little over a year and have lost 40 pounds to date. I have enough to get me to the end of April and in that time, I hope to lose the last 25 pounds to get to my goal weight. Is it safe to use Meridia for this long? Also, I am going off the pill in July, as my husband and I are ready to start a family. Will this be safe for my baby if I’ve been off the drug for only 2 months?
Fontaine
AskDocWeb: Two months sounds fine.
Subj: Meridia helps contol intercranial hypertension
Date: 2/28/2006
I have a disease called Intercranial Hypertension. Basically the fluid in my spine builds up and can cause pressure on my brain and eyes. The symptoms are horrible. Ringing of the ears, loss of vision and excruciating headaches. The trigger for this is weight gain. I managed to lose 70 lbs on my own and got to where I was very comfortable around a size 12/14. I am naturally a full figured African American woman, but when my appetite gets too out of control under stressful situations, I will go to my doctor and ask for some help in controlling my appetite. Now that I have kind of identified the range of my trigger weight, I have to stay on top of it and make sure I stay well below it.
The first time my doctor prescribed Phentrimine. I hated it! It made my heart race, I could not sleep, and I can’t even remember if it helped me or not. But I have managed to keep my weight under control for about 2 years. I had a bad turn around the holidays and my appetite was out of control. When I finally came out of my slump, I had managed to gain 25 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Years. Going back and forth between 10 lbs was always my norm. I did the research and went to my doc to ask for Meridia. She gave me the highest dose at 15 mg because I was starting to show signs of my disease flaring up. The first week and a half, it did nothing! I was so mad that I had to pay full price for this because my insurance did not cover it and nothing was happening. Well, exactly a week after I started, I got my menstrual cycle. Then 3 days after that, which is about how long my cycle last, I noticed I was not hungry. It has been working great every since. I take it at noon every day and it controls my hunger around the clock, especially at night when I need it the most. I actually have to make myself eat. I don’t want to just stop eating all together so I take a vitamin supplement and eat nutritious snacks all during the day. Nuts, dried fruit, things like that. The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and I had one day with a terrible headache. I am not sure if that was the medication or PMS. The dry mouth is great because I am drinking plenty of water. I sleep great, which is unusual because I did not sleep all that great before. It is worth the money I spent on it!
I have lost 5 lbs so far which is great because it took so long for it to start working and I am starting my third week. My doctor is working on getting my insurance to cover it because I have a condition that is triggered by weight.
FYI, I did not realize that you could comparison shop for prescription prices. When I tried to get the prescription filled at my normal pharmacy, I could not believe the price. When I started doing research via the Internet, I realized that my pharmacy had the highest prices on the market! After much research, including local and online pharmacies, I was able to find it $50 cheaper than the first price quoted and it was comparable to online pharmacies. With prescriptions like these, insurance tends not to cover them no matter how bad people need it. So I thought this was helpful information to pass on to anyone who did not know.
Laura
Subj: Recommended for weight loss
Date: 3/13/2006
I have been taking Meridia 15mg for three months now. I have lost 20 pounds, many inches, and two pant sizes! The side effects have been minimal…constipation, a few pimples, a little anxiety. All of those have gone away. I will get a headache if I don’t take the medication around the same time every day. I wholeheartedly recommend this medication!
Mattie
Subj: Meridia side effects
Date: 3/19/2006
I had already lost 21 pounds with WW when I started Meridia five days ago. I have experienced: difficulty sleeping, crankiness, emotional instability, slight depression, a little nausea. I lost 3 pounds in the first two days, and I am watching to see how I progress. I have 90 pounds to go, but have a much-reduced appetite so I’m feeling very optimistic. No dry mouth at all. We’ll see!
Me
Subj: Dry mouth
Date: 3/21/2006
I have been taking Reductil for 4 months and I have experienced dry mouth which can feel like my mouth is peeling and even feels like I have a furry tongue. Drink heaps of water but I have found tooth paste with biotene in it and a spray to help me. Has any one else had this side affect? My doctor said it was normal????
Vicky
AskDocWeb: Yes, dry mouth was the most common side effect reported by users of Reductil (Meridia).
Subj: Hairloss
Date: 3/26/2006
Took Meridia for 3 weeks. Caused major hairloss. If you want your hair – stay off Meridia.
Kim
Subj: Planning to conceive
Date: 3/28/2006
I am taking 10mg Meridia. In four months I am planning to begin trying to conceive. When should I stop taking Meridia? How long does it take to get out of your system?
Kelly
AskDocWeb: Studies have shown that approximately 85% of a single dose is excreted in urine and feces over a 15-day period so it may take a few weeks to get completely out of your system.
Subj: Meridia constipation
Date: 4/2/2006
I’ve been on Meridia 10mg for 6 weeks. So far have lost 15 lbs. and I have a decrease in appetite. I feel very good on it except I have constipation. Should I try the 5mg to see if it stops the constipation?
Denise
AskDocWeb: Changing to the 5mg dose is not likely to stop the constipation. You might try taking a tablespoon of milk of magnesia before going to bed every day.
Subj: No changes
Date: 4/12/2006
I’ve been on Meridia (10mg) for 1 week and have not noticed any changes. I still want to eat my normal servings. Does the medication need to build up in my system? What tips do you have?
Lora
AskDocWeb: You should have seen some changes already in the way your body feels. Remember Meridia is suppose to be used with an exercise program, even if it is only to take a walk every day. You can read our tips here.
Subj: Meridia with Zoloft?
Date: 4/20/2006
I am on Meridia for approximately 4 weeks now. Since I’ve started Meridia, I’ve gone off Zoloft for my anxiety attacks. Now I’ve become a screaming mother and wife again! Could it be because I’ve gone off Zoloft and immediately started on Meridia? My doctor prescribed Meridia for me as I have a BMI of 47. It seems to work for me, but I don’t want to be the person I am now! Can I safely continue to use Zoloft with Meridia? Please help?
Elna
AskDocWeb: No, the ingredients in Meridia would have an interaction with Zoloft. It sounds like you need to talk to your doctor about an alternative weight loss program.
Subj: Bizarre dreams
Date: 5/2/2006
I have taken Meridia for 2 weeks now, take it at nite before bed to reduce the dizzies, it helps although I have had some bizarre dreams lately, I haven’t weighed myself but think I am doing better, not running to the fast food lineup anymore! Am actually eating more fruit and veggies. I will keep ya posted.
Nitetaker
Subj: Headed for trouble
Date: 5/6/2006
Was on meridia five years ago(10mg) and lost 85 pounds in 6 months. I kept the weight off until I got pregnant with my son 18 months later. Since it worked so well before I want to try it again, however I am really scared of all the things I have been reading. When I first went on the med. there wasn’t all of this negative feedback. I am only five foot three and weigh close to 220 pounds. I have tried many diets in the last few years with no results. I don’t want to die of a stroke, but at this rate and at this weight I think I’m headed for trouble. I am thirty-one and would like to have another child if I can get my weight under control. Please advise.
Jen
AskDocWeb: Yes this drug has many side effects that make you think twice about taking it. If your doctor says that it is worth the risk then believe him. The consequences of doing nothing could be much worse.
Subj: Didn’t read the insert
Date: 5/9/2006
I just started May 8 to take 10mg Meridia. I did not read the insert all the way and missed the part about affecting sleep- wish I had since I took it last night LOL and was not able to sleep at all- did feel energized, could have cleaned the whole house! Today I am tired (prob lack of sleep) and I do feel dizzy (felt it last night too but I don’t mind if I am sleeping). I am hoping the symptom goes away, I don’t like the “drugged” feeling, but besides that no other side effect. I will be taking my next dose tomorrow May 9 in the morning so I can get some rest tonight.
Cindy
Subj: Hair loss and Meridia?
Date: 5/10/2006
Does taking meridia effect hair growth or make you hair come out?
Mary
AskDocWeb: Although it is not listed as an effect of taking Meridia, one person did report major hair loss after starting this drug.
Subj: Meridia side effects
Date: 5/14/2006
I have only been taking Meridia for three days now. I am having sexual side effects, constipation, dry throat/mouth, and so far my heart beat has only began racing one time, and that was while I asleep the first night I took the medication. My question is, does Meridia have any other function of weight loss other than reducing hunger/or making you feel full so that you don’t eat as much? I am wondering because I have been on a low carb/exercise program for 6 months and have lost about 40lbs. I wanted to step up my weight loss, so I spoke to my doctor and he prescribed Meridia. I was already controlling my food intake, does Meridia do anything else to cause weight loss? Just trying to find out if I am wasting money. Thanks!
Jason
AskDocWeb: Meridia works by making you feel full after eating less food. You still get hungry but it takes less food for you to feel full. We would say that is something you don’t need if you already control your food intake. To step up your weight loss increase the amount of exercise you get. Do that gradually and you should be okay.
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