ask your pharmacist

back to: pharmacy | ask your pharmacist

What are the side effects of Meridia?

Meridia (the brand name for sibutramine) is an appetite suppressant drug that’s prescribed for weight loss. Its most commonly reported side effects include dry mouth, headache, constipation, heartburn, runny nose, flushing, and trouble sleeping. Taking the drug in the morning can help prevent problems sleeping. Less common side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Meridia. Rare but severe side effects leading to heart valve damage and a lung condition called primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) have been linked with the use of some weight loss drugs, but have not been reported with Meridia. The long-term effects of Meridia are unknown because studies of the drug have not been conducted beyond one year.

People with heart disease (coronary artery disease, congestive heart disease, irregular heartbeat, or stroke) or anorexia should not take Meridia. Meridia is not recommended for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

Sources:
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts and Comparisons, 2006.
Meridia product information, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., 2006.
Bray GA . “Medicinal Strategies in the Treatment of Obesity”, Nature, 404 (2000).

This answer prepared 6/12/2000.
This information updated 11/30/2006.