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What is Meridia?

Meridia (brand name for sibutramine) is an appetite suppressant drug that’s prescribed for weight loss. It works on chemicals in the brain to decrease appetite. Your doctor should decide if Meridia is right for you based on your weight, height, and health history. The drug should be used as only one component of a weight loss program that also includes a reduced calorie diet, increased physical activity, and close supervision by your doctor.

Meridia is typically taken once a day, with or without food. Medical studies have shown that along with a reduced calorie diet, the drug is effective in helping people lose weight. The amount of weight lost varies from person to person. If you lose at least four pounds during the first month of treatment, it’s a good sign that the drug will be effective for you. Most people who take the drug lose the most weight (up to five percent of their starting weight) during the first six months of treatment. Many individuals keep the weight off for at least one year.

Sources:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex Inc., 2000.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts and Comparisons, 2000.
Meridia product information, Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, 1998.
Bray G.A . “Medicinal Strategies in the Treatment of Obesity”, Nature, 404 (2000).

This answer prepared 6/12/00.