Meridia tablets – centrally acting drug for the treatment of obesity. Meridia is based on the chemical compound Sibutramine, which is used in many medicines of a similar effect. As a result of complex biochemical reactions, Sibutramine is converted into metabolites, the action of which leads to an increase in the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the CNS receptors. Such an influence of the main active substance leads to accelerated saturation, a decrease in the amount of food absorbed, and an increase in thermal production.
An additional effect of Meridia is the normalization of fat metabolism (reducing the level of absorption of triglycerides and lipoproteins), as well as the normalization of glucose and hemoglobin levels. Meridia is available in the form of white hard gelatin capsules with a blue cap, with a white powder inside.
Indications for use
Maintenance therapy for alimentary obesity (with a BMI above 30 kg/m2);
Maintenance therapy for alimentary obesity, combined with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism disorders (with a BMI over 27 kg/m2).
Composition:
The main active ingredient is sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate;
Excipients – lactose, microcrystalline cellulose. Colloidal titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, colors.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption – the main absorption of the drug occurs in the digestive tract, the first passage with the formation of active substances is made in the liver. In the blood plasma, the content of the main active substance is detected 75 minutes after taking the drug.
Distribution and metabolism – the maximum concentration of Sibutramine metabolites is found in the tissues 3 hours after taking Meridia. The metabolism of the drug in obese patients is identical to that in patients with normal weight.
Excretion – the primary stage of excretion of the main active substance occurs in the liver, inactive metabolites are excreted along with urine and during defecation.
Противопоказания
It is not recommended to use the drug in patients suffering from serious eating disorders caused by pathologies of the nervous system: bulimia and anorexia.
Contraindications:
Obesity caused by impaired functioning of the body (organic obesity);
Generalized tic (Tourette’s syndrome);
Taking MAO inhibitors, sleeping pills, antipsychotics, antidepressants, drugs for the correction of mental disorders and for weight loss;
Diseases of the cardiovascular system (ischemia, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia);
Increased thyroid function;
Arterial hypertension;
Benign prostatic hyperplasia;
Dependence on alcohol, drugs, medications;
Children and adolescence (up to 18 years);
Old age (over 65 years old);
Lactose intolerance, glucose-galactose maalsorption syndrome;
Renal and liver failure;
lactation and pregnancy;
Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Meridia tablets are prescribed with caution in the following diseases and conditions:
Vascular disorders;
Epilepsy and convulsions of any etiology;
tendency to bleed;
History of tics;
Cholelithiasis.
Meridia dosage
The amount of the drug is calculated individually in each case. Capsules are taken once in the morning, they are not chewed, they are washed down with water (at least 200 ml). Connection with food intake – simultaneously with food or on an empty stomach.
Dose:
10 mg – initial dosage;
15 mg – increased dosage with good tolerance and poor response to the initial dose (weight loss of less than 2 kg in the first month).
With the apparent inefficiency of the use of Meridia (less than 5% decrease in body weight in the first 3 months at a dose of 15 mg), the drug is stopped. A similar tactic is followed if weight loss is replaced by an increase of more than 3 kg. The total duration of treatment with Meridia, with a favorable reaction of the body, lasts no more than 1 year.
Exceeding the optimal dose of Meridia capsules is accompanied by headache, high blood pressure, tachycardia. To stop the symptoms of an overdose, gastric lavage is used, sorbents are used.
Side effects
Symptoms associated with taking the drug may accompany the patient in the first month of using the drug. They appear in a mild form, are reversible when Meridia capsules are cancelled.
Side effects:
Nervous system: drowsiness, depression, convulsions, nervousness, headache, emotional instability;
Digestive system: taste change, pain in the stomach and intestines, nausea, dryness of the oral mucosa, exacerbation of hemorrhoids, occasionally thirst and increased appetite;
Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, edema, arterial hypertension, thrombocytopenia;
Allergic reactions: itching, rhinitis, alopecia, edema, anaphylactic shock;
Dysmenorrhea;
visual acuity disorders,
Erectile dysfunction and ejaculation;
Rarely, uterine bleeding.
The use of Meridia capsules is not recommended without a doctor’s prescription and control over the heart rate. This drug is used in cases of ineffectiveness of weight loss measures – the use of a diet and increased physical activity. If, with non-drug measures, body weight has not decreased by 3 kg in 5 months, the use of Meridia is allowed.