Feedback on Meridia Side Effects and Usage, page 8

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: Second try on Meridia
Date: 8/28/2006
I am on Meridia for the 2nd time. The first time I lost 15 lbs in the 4 weeks, then stopped because of a numbing sensation in my left arm. I was first on 15 mgs, but am now on 10 mgs. Although it’s driving me crazy, I don’t want to stop taking it in hopes that it “goes away”. Any advice?

Molly

AskDocWeb: Make sure your doctor knows about that numbing sensation in your left arm. That’s one of the symptoms of a heart problem as in heart attack. The symptoms may go away with a decreased dosage but if not then talk with your doctor.

Subj: Side effects 3 months later
Date: 9/13/2006
I know a friend who took meridia and began getting side effects. They have been off meridia for 3 months now and still have what they think maybe side effects from meridia. They include slurred speech, dilated pupils, urinary tract infection, sharp pains through the body, and “dead” leg. Could meridia possibly still be in their system after 3 months?

Dawn

AskDocWeb: No, not after three months. These are very serious side affects that indicate a need to consult with a neurologist.

Subj: High blood pressure
Date: 9/16/2006
I take Atenolol and Diovan for PAC’s and slightly high blood pressure. My doc gave me a prescription for Meridia. I need to lose about 120 lbs. I filled the prescription but am worried about the side effects, especially on the heart. I feel stuck, needing to lose to make my heart healthier, but not using the drug if it will cause ill effects. Any suggestions?

Andrea

AskDocWeb: With hypertension you have to be very cautious and check your blood pressure frequently. If you have a family history of heart problems, talk to your doctor before deciding.

Subj: Meridia headache
Date: 10/1/2006
I started taking Meridia 3 days ago (10mg). The first 2 days were ok just some dry mouth, but today I have a blinding headache! I’m not sure I can take it much more! Is there anything I can do to make the headaches go away besides not taking Meridia anymore?

Lacy

AskDocWeb: Headaches are a side affect of Meridia, sorry. You can try taking Tylenol but if that doesn’t work you will have to talk with your doctor about another drug.

Subj: Finally losing weight
Date: 10/5/2006
I have now been using Meridia for approximately 5 months and am very happy with this drug. I am finally losing weight and am not preoccupied with food all of the time. I have not any adverse side effects.

Maureen

Subj: No side effects
Date: 10/22/2006
I was never before so happy finally I lost 28 pounds on meridia no side effects either then thirst which is good it got me to drink water nothing else could ever help me no matter what I tried. 10 pounds a month loosing is great. I’m so glad

Elena

Subj: Meridia dizzy
Date: 11/5/2006
I’ve been taking meridia 5mg for 2wks no side effects and felt hungry. Today I start it 10 mg and feel the different but a little dizzy, lost 10lb and 20 to go wish me luck here in mass.

Emerald

AskDocWeb: You should NOT be experiencing vertigo (dizzy), please consult with your doctor.

Subj: Meridia before pregnancy?
Date: 11/13/2006
I took meridia for about two or three months and lost around 20 lbs. When my Rx ran out it took me two and a half weeks to get the Rx refilled. In the meantime, (during those weeks when I was out of Meridia) I got pregnant. I found this out by taking a home pregnancy test. I did not resume taking Meridia after learning that I was pregnant. However, I am really worried about there being some wrong with my baby since I did take Meridia for two or three months prior to getting pregnant. Am I right to be worried?

Joyce

AskDocWeb: You’re probably okay but talk with your OB doctor about this concern. They are the specialists in pregnancy and the effect of medications on the fetus.

Subj: Meridia dosage
Date: 11/16/2006
What is the difference between taking the 10mg and the 15mg? Is the 15mg alot stronger than the 10?

Gwenn

AskDocWeb: Yes the 15 mg is stronger. Meridia comes in 5mg, 10mg and 15mg dosages. Your doctor will decide what the best dosage is for you.

Subj: No success
Date: 11/18/2006
I have been on meridia for a little over 3 months. I was on meridia and lost 12 pounds the first month. After that time nothing happened, no more weight loss. My doctor increased my dosage of meridia to 15mg at month three. No success gained two pounds. I have also experienced headaches that I have never had before. Flashes of jagged light etc., also itching on my scalp and upper body, nauseous, moody irritable, heart racing at times, extreme tiredness.

Christa

AskDocWeb: This sounds like what happens when your dosage is too high. Better talk to your doctor about alternatives.

Subj: Finally getting results
Date: 11/23/2006
I have been on meridia for 2 weeks and have lost 6lbs which is great. I haven’t had any side effects other than weight loss and curbed hunger. I suffer from hypo thyroid and can’t seem to lose the weight over the past 4 years. I am very active and eat reasonably well but just can’t lose weight. I run 10k’s 3-5 days a week along with weights and other activities so I am very happy to finally get results.

AC

Subj: I love how I feel with Meridia
Date: 11/26/2006
I had a bottle of 10 mg of Meridia for almost a year, and was afraid to take it. I finally decided after hitting 160#, to try it. No weight loss for 5 days then starting losing steadily. I love how I feel, my obsessiveness is greatly controlled. I eat one big meal, supper, with my family, and very little the rest of the day. Maybe a cup of coffee and a yogurt. I lost 10# in 2 weeks! No exercising, either. Thanksgiving was this week, and I had a major food fest, and decided to not try to diet, just take the pills. I gained back only 2-3 pounds with 3 days of feasting. I’m back on track without any guilt. I do have a bit of dry mouth, and at first had some trouble falling asleep. I have had high blood pressure for the past few years, so I was nervous about this, but no problems yet since starting Meridia. I am watching this closely, taking my blood pressure every day. So far, my results have been textbook perfect.

CJ

Subj: Really like Meridia
Date: 11/27/2006
I have been taking meridia for 2 months total. I had to stop due to getting sick, nothing to do with meridia (I work with public). I started out on 10 mg and no side effects then my doctor bumped up to 15mg and I was very irritable (like PMS all the time). I really like it and need something to get me started.

Mary

Subj: Too expensive
Date: 12/16/2006
Well 2 days ago my doctor prescribed Meridia to me because I had 2 children within 11 months and gained 80 pounds. So I went to the pharmacy to fill it, and they said it would cost $290. I declined to get it because I couldn’t afford it, especially when I’m trying to support 2 young children. I don’t see why this diet pill has to cost so much. It seems like you have to give your 1st born child up just to afford it, and trust me that wont happen. No wonder there are more obese people in the world than thin people. Diet pills cost you every penny you have. I really wish I could take this to lose weight, but not for $290.

Kel

Subj: Lost 19 pounds
Date: 12/17/2006
I’ve been on the 10mg dose of Meridia for 5 weeks now. I’ve lost 19 lbs. mostly my mouth and throat feel like they’ve been in a clothes dryer! But it does get me drinking plenty of water. I find that I can’t eat very much at all so I limit my meals to nutritionally dense foods and/or nutrition bars. One caveat…do NOT take on an empty stomach! I take it in the morning to avoid insomnia but if I take it before I eat my breakfast, I feel like I’m going to barf. That’s about it. It’s nice to “feel” hungry again!

Debangel

Subj: Meridia and paxil
Date: 12/18/2006
I’ve been on meridia for one week and lost 5 pounds, but my doctor was notified by the pharmacist about the contraindications with paxil and my doctor wants me to stop. If both medications cause the same effect, why can’t I just take meridia.

Stacie

AskDocWeb: Although some of the effects may be similar, these are two different medications. Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a psychotropic drug used to treat panic disorder, social anxiety and posttraumatic stress. A rare, but serious, medical condition called “serotonin syndrome” has been reported in patients when medications like Meridia are taken with drugs that alter serotonin activity such as Paxil.

Other drugs that alter serotonin activity include:

  • Adapin
  • Anafranil
  • Asendin
  • Celexa
  • Desyrel
  • Effexor
  • Elavil
  • Eldepryl
  • Etrafon
  • Lexapro
  • Limbitrol
  • Ludiomil
  • Luvox
  • Nardil
  • Norpramin
  • Pamelor
  • Parnate
  • Prozac
  • Remeron
  • Serzone
  • Sinequan
  • Surmontil
  • Tofranil
  • Triavil
  • Vivactil
  • Wellbutrin
  • Zoloft

It is important to make sure your doctor knows you are taking any of the above medicines before you take Meridia.

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