Meridia & Weight Loss

The weight loss drug Meridia was introduced in the late 1990s as a viable option for anyone who is seriously overweight. Meridia helps promote weight loss by controlling appetite, so it takes less food for the body to feel full. It has also been effective in helping maintain a normal weight, once the desired weight has been achieved.

Identification

Meridia (sibutrimine hydrochloric monohydrate) is manufactured by Knoll Pharmaceutical Co. Meridia was introduced to assist weight loss after the Food and Drug Administration withdrew Redux and Fenfluramine from the market due to potentially fatal heart-related issues. Meridia was approved by the FDA in November 1997, and has been prescribed for weight control by many physicians since. Meridia is known as a monoamine re-uptake inhibitor.

Function

Meridia works much the same way as many anti-depressants like Prozac work, by affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that is released in the brain after eating. This chemical is responsible for helping the body to feel full. Meridia inhibits the re-absorption of serotonin, causing the full feeling signal to last longer. This gives the body a feeling of fullness for a much longer period of time, helping obese people to reduce caloric intake and lose weight.

Considerations

Meridia is recommended for people that are obese; it is not recommended for those just looking to shed a few pounds. The makers of the drug at Knoll Pharmaceutical, emphasize that Meridia is approved for use in those needing to lose weight to improve their health. Linda Mayer, the director at Knoll, states: "We are focusing on the health benefits. It is not about how you look, but how you're health will improve if you lose weight." Meridia is only recommended for those with a BMI of 30 or greater. Meridia may be considered for a patient with a BMI of 27 if there are underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Meridia and Xenical are currently the only two weight loss medications that are approved for long-term use. Even then, there have been no significant studies beyond two years of use.

Benefits

In clinical studies performed by Knoll, Meridia helped obese individuals reduce their weight by 5 percent to 10 percent when combined with a reduced-calorie diet. Study participants lost most of the weight within the first six months of using Meridia. Meridia should be combined with a healthy diet and exercise program to achieve maximum results.

Warnings

Meridia is a prescription medication and should not be used by those with allergies to sibutramine; heart, kidney or liver disease; stroke; anorexia; glaucoma; seizure disorders; or for those taking drugs for depression, women who are pregnant or patients under 16 years old.