Meridia

Numerous research studies have documented an average weight loss of up to 12 kg over a period of 6 months to 1 year during the therapy including Meridia in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, exercise and diet.

Meridia diet pills act by increasing the concentration of chemical substances called monoamines (noradrenalin, serotonin and dopamine) in the brain, this allows a multi-pronged action at various centers, stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and the satiety center, along with other unknown affects on metabolism to ultimately decrease appetite and reduce food intake.

When it is combined with a low-calorie diet and appropriate lifestyle modifications, Meridia diet pills have documented a weight loss anywhere between 2-12 kg over a period of 6 to 12 months. Information also suggests that this weight loss can then be maintained for a substantial amount of time on diet and activity alone.

The active ingredient, Sibutramine keeps two important brain chemicals - serotonin and norepinephrine - in balance, which helps to increase metabolism, it causes a feeling of fullness and increases energy levels. Studies indicate that assists with weight loss and helps maintain it.

Sibutramine does not cause a decrease in the lean body weight (the non-fat content of the body) or blood sugar level, it decreases the uric acid levels, which is useful since higher uric acid levels in higher weight groups can lead to gout. Drug therapy for obesity is indicated in individuals in whom obesity cannot be attributed to underlying endocrine and metabolic disorders, the therapy is initiated at a BMI of 30 kg/m2 (or 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors like hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes) after a failure of diet and exercise to produce a weight loss of greater than 0.5 kg/1 lb. per week for 4 weeks. The drug is initially prescribed for a period of 4 weeks, during which the individual is monitored for weight loss and side effects. A close watch is kept on blood pressure and heart rate also; these tend to go up especially if the drug is working. An increase in heart rate and/or blood pressure during this period may prompt a reduction of the dose to 5mg/day, thereafter, a closer follow-up is recommended to assess the effect of the drug on the cardiovascular system.

Some other drugs may interact with Meridia, producing predictable and unpredictable results and should be avoided unless clear indications exist, so combining Meridia with other centrally acting weight loss drugs, MAO inhibitors (anti-depressants) and alcohol should be avoided, common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia.