Brand Name: Generic Meridia [Reductil]
Generic Name : Sibutramine Hydrochloride Monohydrate

Meridia [Sibutramine/Reductil] Precautions

When Should I Avoid Taking Meridia?

Once you inform your physician about your medical history, and all the medicines including prescription as well as OTC, the nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking, the doctor will be able to correctly advise you on whether you should take Meridia, or not; and, if so, then what will be the correct dose for you.

Certain decongestants, cough, cold, and allergy medicines contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedra, or ma huang, and if Sibutramine is taken along with these, it may increase the heart rate or blood pressure.

If hypertensives are in control of their condition, the doctor may put them on Meridia; even then, their blood pressure may rise a little. It is recommended that people who have uncontrolled blood pressure do not take this medicine, otherwise their blood pressure will shoot up; it may also have an adverse effect on the heart. Even those hypertensives whose condition has been controlled, will be required to get their blood pressure and heart rate checked from time to time.

Intake of alcohol/alcoholic beverages may have to be curbed, for Meridia [Reductil] can increase drowsiness, and especially those who have to drive, will need to exercise more restraint. Coffee, tea, or caffeinated beverages should also be taken in moderation while you take Meridia. There are many OTC medications that contain caffeine, or medications that add to drowsiness.

It is recommended that pregnant or nursing women should not take this diet pill; whereas women who wish to avoid pregnancy, may have to take their gynae’s advice in adopting an effective birth control measure, while they take Meridia [Sibutramine].

Should you be taking any MAOI medication, which is used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease, the doctor be aware of that, for the doctor will want you to put apart the MAOI from Meridia, or Meridia apart from the MAOI, by a fortnight. The two, if taken together, can cause fatal effects.

Older people may be prescribed a low dose of this medicine, keeping in view the eventuality of their developing hepatic, renal, or cardiac problems, which get heightened due to the age factor; while adolescents between 16-18 must take it only if specifically advised by their doctor.