Archive for January, 2010
If you are thirty pounds or more overweight you may be a candidate for Meridia prescription diet pills. Meridia (the brand name for Sibutramine) is intended to be used with a reduced calorie diet to help you lose weight and maintain weight loss. Sibutramine works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals that are called norepinehrine and serotonin within the brain.
While Meridia can help aid your weight loss efforts you should also eat a low-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Meridia is a short term weight loss solution and should be treated as such. If you don’t make an effort to exercise and eat properly you will not be able to maintain your weight loss after you stop taking Meridia.
As with any medication prior to taking Meridia you should check with your doctor. If you have any of the following health conditions Meridia may not be right option for you:
* If you are or you have been depressed you should not take Meridia
* If you have bleeding problems
* If you have Anorexia, you should not take this medicine
* If you are already taking appetite suppressants
* High blood pressure – speak with your Doctor you may be able to take this medicine under his supervision.
* Heart disease, irregular heartbeats or a history of stroke
* Seizure disorder
* Gallstones, liver or kidney disease
You may read the list above and think you don’t have any of these health problems but it is still advisable to see your Doctor before you start taking this medication so they can monitor your health prior. While this medication is tolerated well by most people it is important to take into consideration the potential side effects before deciding if Meridia is right for you.
Meridia (the brand name for Sibutramine) is a prescription diet pill in a class of drugs known as monoamine reuptake inhibitors. In fact, Meridia works in a similar fashion to that of some anti-depressants such as Prozac, by inhibiting reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin within the brain. Serotonin promotes a feeling of calm and satiety. And as so an increase in serotonin and circulation can promote the lasting feeling of fullness. This is the simple theory behind Meridia and how it works.
Meridia is intended for those people who are 30 pounds or more overweight. If you have only a couple pounds to lose this is not the right medication for you. While Meridia can help you significantly lose weight patients should also eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
What is Meridia (Sibutramine):
Sibutramine affects the chemicals in the body that are directly related to weight maintenance and management.
Sibutramine is intended to be a short term supplement to help obesity in addition to dieting and exercising.
In some cases Sibutramine has been reported to cause an increase in blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure and pulse regularly monitored while taking this medication.
It is important to understand that Meridia is in fact a controlled substance. Which means it can be habit forming and those people that have a history of alcohol or drug abuse should not take this medication.
Do not mix other medications with Meridia unless first speaking to your Doctor to make sure they are compatible. Meridia may interact with other medications and can cause a condition known as Serotonin Syndrome. Should this happen, seek medical attention right away. Symptoms might include: anxiety, restlessness, confusion, shivering, sweating and more.
Before taking over the counter medications speak with your doctor. Many people assume that over the counter medicines are safe and that is not always the case. Always take medications with precaution, after all this is your health and your life!
While most people that take Phentermine have mild to no side effects, it is important to understand the possible side effects that you can experience while taking this medication. Keep in mind, in most cases they are just precautions but you should know about them beforehand.
Important Phentermine Facts:
* You should take Phentermine only as prescribed by your doctor.
* Do NOT take more than the prescribed amount.
* Do NOT increase the prescribe dosage.
* Do NOT take it for longer than your doctor prescribed.
* If you miss a dose skip it and take your regularly scheduled dosage. Do not double up on the dosage. If taken too late it the date it may also cause insomnia.
* If too much Phentermine is consumed, it may cause unwanted side effects or it may become habit forming.
* Phentermine has a similar chemical structure to that of amphetamines; therefore it may cause a positive drug screen. If you are taking a drug test, disclose that you are taking Phentermine.
Understanding Side Effects of Phentermine
First and foremost, if you experience any of the side effects listed below you should stop taking Phentermine and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
Serious side effects can include:
Allergic reaction – if you experience breathing difficulty, closing of the throat, swelling in the lips, tongue or face or hives
Irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure which may also include headaches and/or blurred vision
Hallucinations or confusion
Less serious side effects can include:
Restlessness or tremors
Anxiety or nervousness
Headache or dizziness
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Diarrhea or constipation
Changes in sex drive
Specific drugs can interact and affect Phentermine and as such you should check with your doctor and make sure any and all medications you are taking will not pose a problem.
Phentermine can be habit forming. You can become physically and/or psychologically dependant. If you suddenly discontinue use of this medication after several weeks you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your Doctor about stopping this medication gradually over time. Side effects other than the ones that are listed here might also occur. You should contact your doctor if they are unusual or become bothersome.
Phentermine is intended for those people that are considered obese and at risk for health problems associated with being severely overweight. Phentermine is not recommended for those people that are only mildly overweight that want to lose only a few pounds.
It is important to understand that Phentermine is not treatment for obesity but it can significantly help you reach your weight loss goals. While taking Phentermine, the patient should also combine healthy eating habits and exercise to maintain weight loss long term. This pill is widely used and successful in achieving weight loss and reducing the health risks associated with obesity.
Phentermine is right for you if you are obese and need help jumpstarting your weight loss plan. Losing weight is not an easy feat and Phentermine can make it easier for you to reach your goals by suppressing your appetite and speeding up your metabolism.
Before deciding Phentermine is the course of action you will be using to lose weight you should go and see your Doctor and discuss your options with him. While taking Phentermine you should be under the care of your doctor and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
You should not take Phentermine if you have any of the following health conditions:
High blood pressure or you have heart disease
Thyroid problems
Anxiety disorder
Diabetes
Seizure disorder
If you have glaucoma
If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days
If you have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse
If you do in fact have any of the health conditions outlined above, you many not meet the requirements to be able to take Phentermine. Alternatively you may in fact be able to take it but you may require special monitoring by your doctor or a lower dosage of medication. It is best to consult your doctor so he can help you go over your options.

