Meridia Review

Meridia is a prescription weight loss medication. There are no gimmicky promises or unfounded claims made by Meridia. It is made by Abbott Laboratories, the well-known and trusted manufacturer of such medications as Glucerna, Omnicef, Pedilyte, and hundreds of others. Unlike weight loss supplements made by fly-by-night companies, you can be sure Abbott Laboratories will stand behind their product as well as continue to conduct research on their products.

Meridia is very forthright about who should or should not take the product. Meridia can substantially increase blood pressure or heart rate in some patients. It is designed for people who need to lose at least 30 pounds (depending on height). Meridia makes it clear that taking the medication should be done in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet.

How does Meridia work?

According to the Meridia website,

“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 ingredient in MERIDIA, sibutramine, works in the area of the brain that signals the sense of fullness (satiety). 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 regulate the sense of fullness. Fullness is your signal to stop eating. Having a sense of fullness, or satiety, means you may feel satisfied with less food.”

Meridia is also candid about explaining that it is not an instant weight loss fix. Most people who lose weight on Meridia do it in the first six months. If you are looking for immediate results, this is not the product for you, although anything that promises immediate results is most likely false or unhealthy.

What are the side effects of Meridia?

The most common side effects from taking Meridia are headache, dry mouth, anorexia, constipation, insomnia, increased sweating, an increase in blood pressure, and increase in heart rate. Be sure to follow Meridia’s recommendations to thoroughly discuss your concerns with your doctor before taking Meridia.

What does the research say about Meridia?

Sibutramine, the active ingredient in MERIDIA, has been extensively studied throughout the world. It has been studied in more than 100 clinical trials involving more than 12,000 patients. It was first approved in 1997.

In research studies, “sibutramine in combination with diet and exercise was effective in producing and maintaining significant weight loss in the majority of obese patients compared to diet and exercise alone.”
((http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/meridia.pdf))

The safety and effectiveness of Meridia have not yet been established beyond two years’ time.

How much Meridia should I take?

MERIDIA comes in three different strength capsules (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg). The recommended initial starting dose of MERIDIA is one 10 mg capsule per day. Your doctor will determine the starting dose that is best for you.

Your doctor will determine how long you should take MERIDIA. Follow your doctor’s advice!

Meridia Review Conclusion

Meridia has been proven to promote weight loss. However, the side effects could be concerning. This product has been well researched, and you should take comfort in the fact that your doctor can help you in determining whether or not Meridia is right for you and how much you should take. All things considered, we recommend this product as long as you closely follow your doctor’s advice.

Recommended alternatives to Meridia: