Doctors’ Answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” – Meridia
These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
Meridia Side Effects [posted
1/13/99]
Question: I have been taking Meridia 10 mg for 2 weeks and I have to urinate more
frequently, my muscles in my legs spasm once in awhile, and I sleep deeply, but very
restless and I move around all over my bed by morning. Is this common?
Answer: Not with most of my patients.
Meridia [posted 8/11/98]
Question: Is there any contraindication in taking Meridia 10 mg qd and zoloft 50 mg
qd.
Answer: Meridia has only been released and I only know of it from the
literature. There does not appear to be a contraindication.
Meridia [posted 8/4/98]
Question: I am aware that the FDA has given a letter of approval to the makers of
Meridia, and the drug is currently awaiting classification from the DEA. I am wondering
how long the DEA usually takes on something like this and when Meridia may be available on
the market. I tried the phen/fen combo until fenfluramine was pulled from the market and
lost approximately 40 lbs. But the effects of the medication tapered of well before the
recall. I still have approximately 50 lbs to lose. Should Meridia be a good idea for me?
Answer: It is supposed to be available in March or April of this year. Early
data seems good, but so did phen-fen. It supposedly has been followed for the cardiac
problems of phen-fen, but the risk of that was pretty remote. Hopefully, wider use will
not uncover the same type of problems. I must say that good monitoring and echocardiograms
seem appropriate when it is available.
Meridia [posted 7/27/98]
Question: I saw a TV commercial recently about a drug that was similar to
Phen-Phen, but with minimal side effects. I didn’t get the name of the drug company. I
believe the drug’s name was Meridia.
Answer: This drug is due in March or April. The initial information is basically
what you have heard, but supposedly does not have cardiac involvement. There is an
additional drug coming in June or so which works differently and blocks fat absorption in
the small intestine by affecting the pancreatic enzyme responsible for fat digestion.
Other than that, I don’t have much information.
Back to Medication/Pharmaceutical
main page.