First of all, you should know that Meridia comes in three doses – a 5mg dose, a 10mg dose and a 15mg dose. Once your doctor decides which one is best for you, you should take it orally with a glass of water once a day. Since it is not affected by food, you may take the capsule with or without it. You should closely follow your weight during the first four weeks of your treatment and inform your doctor about the improvement that you notice. In case you lose four pounds during this period, that means that your Meridia has had a wonderful effect on your body and that you should continue using it as before. However, if you do not lose these four pounds than you will probably need a higher dosage of the medication and your doctor will adjust it for you.

When it comes to your diet and your lifestyle, there are also some changes that you should introduce. In fact, your doctor will probably prescribe a low calorie diet, do not worry – it is a healthy one with no significant restrictions, and you should adjust to it easily since Meridia will help you control your appetite. Another important thing is that you should introduce some physical exercises in your daily routine. These do not have to be strenuous, in fact, they shouldn’t. Your doctor will probably recommend you some and you may adjust them according to your level of fitness. It is very important that you have any recreational activities that will help your body get rid of the extra calories much faster.

Since obesity is a chronic condition, you will probably have to take your drug indefinitely or with some occasional breaks. According to a study, during the period of twelve months, patients who took 10mg of the drug daily lost approximately ten pounds, while those who took 15mg a day lost approximately 14 pounds. The most of the weight is lost during the first six months after which a significant weight loss is continued for up to a year. After that, Meridia helps you maintain your weigh.

All in all, these are some of the most important facts you should know in order to make the best out of your treatment. Meridia is a really effective drug and knowing all this stuff will help you use it in a proper way and make the effectiveness of the drug as high as possible. So, do not hesitate and get your prescription for Meridia.

Nevertheless, in 1997 two drugs that had been used to treat obesity were suddenly withdrawn from the market. In fact, fenfluramine and Redux, its active ingredient being dexfenfluramine, were banned for they were linked to heart valve abnormalities that can be fatal. Only a few months after the withdrawal of these two, FDA approved Meridia.

Now, how does Meridia differ from these two potentially dangerous medications? Actually, Meridia and fenfluramine act in a similar way in that they both affect serotonin. However, fenfluramine causes the level of serotonin in your blood to increase and this most probably caused the damage of the heart valve in some of the patients. Unlike fenfluramine, Meridia is a targeted medication which does not affect the whole system, but only your brain and centers that control appetite. It inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in your brain and helps it remain longer in the nervous center thus giving you a feeling of being full. Apart from that, it also increases the level of adrenaline which also helps in curbing your appetite. Since serotonin also affects your mood, you will experience some improvements there as well.

When it comes to the side-effects of Meridian, of course it has some, just like any other medication. These, however, are not too serious and they are not detrimental to your health. Some of the symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, back pain, abdominal pain, stuffy or runny nose, fast or irregular heart rate and some allergic reactions such as itching, rash, hives, heavy breathing or swelling of your face, lips and tongue. As you can see, these are really not too severe and they will probably go away in a few hours. What you should do is not panic, remain calm and take a lot of water. Of course, you should also inform your doctor about what you have experienced and they will probably adjust the originally prescribed dosage. You should also never take double the recommended dosage or even more.

To sum up, Meridia is, after all, a safe medication. There have been some similar drugs that were proven dangerous; however, Meridia does differ from them and it is officially approved by FDA. It has a targeted effect on your body which means that it only affects the centers in your brain responsible for appetite, without having any consequences on other parts of your system. Of course, it may have some side-effects like any other medicine, but the symptoms are not severe and many of them do not require professional medical help. However, if you use Meridia properly no side-effects should occur and you will only benefit from it.

I was a teenager when I realized that I had some serious problem with eating. I loved to it, but that was not all. As I grew older I became more and more obsessed with food. Of course, it resulted in my gaining more and more weight. In high school, I was teased for being overweight wherever I went there had to be someone who would stare at me or just give me an awkward look and with time I became so unconfident and so introverted that I stopped going out or hanging around with my friends and going to school was a nightmare to me. I was desperate.

My parents didn’t think that I had any serious problem. For them, I loved to eat and that was it. However, as I became so secluded from all the life outside the house they started doubting that something might really be wrong with my health. I was seventeen and about to turn eighteen when they decided that we should consult a doctor about my condition. Much as I was depressed and withdrawn, there was a hope, deep inside of me, that maybe I would wake from this nightmare and have a normal life.

The doctor was a nice woman and very caring. First we all had a conversation together and then she wanted to talk to me in private, without my parents being present. We talked for almost an hour and she wanted to know all about me, about my friends, my success at school and eventually she subtly moved to the subject of food and I told her all the particulars. She told me that I suffered from obesity and that I would have to take medications. She also asked me if I would like to talk to psychiatrist about anything that bothered me, but I refused. I realized that I had to be strong and I wanted to do it by myself.

I got a prescription for Meridia and I could not wait to start the treatment. My parents bought the drug in the way home and I started taking as the doctor prescribed. After a few weeks, the scale showed some improvement and I was really satisfied. After some time I lost more and more pounds and eventually reached a point where I could say I was not obese anymore. In the meantime I got my self-confidence back and learned to disregard any remarks. Thanks to Meridia I am a normal person who is starting her own family and who is proud of herself.

First of all, Meridia, Phentermine and Xenical all have different active ingredients and these are sibutramine, phentermine hydrochloride, and orlistat respectively. Accordingly, they all work in somewhat different ways.  Sibutramine is controls your appetite by affecting the responsible centers in your brain and increases the feeling of satiety. Phentermine falls into a group of appetite suppressants and orlistat is called a stomach lipase inhibitor which means that it helps your body block the absorption of fat that you take in through food.

Further on, although Phentermine is the cheapest, it is not really effective. In fact, it only works for three months and after that period your body becomes resistant to it. Knowing that obesity is a chronic condition and that it cannot be cured, but only controlled, Phentermine is not really a medicine that could be of great use to you.

As for Meridia and Xenical, the most significant difference between these two is in the way they work. As mentioned before, Meridia affects the centers in your brain. Actually, it affects the reuptake of serotonin by inhibiting it and in this way you feel full for a longer time. This is good because it also eliminates the anxiety that comes with the feeling of hunger. Xenical, on the other hand, affects your digestive system prevents approximately one-third of the fat that you take in from being digested. In fact, it attaches to the enzymes that help break down fat and blocks them from digesting the fat which your body then cannot absorb. However, this will not help you eat less or feel satiated and you will still be hungry as you were before.

When it comes to the side-effects, all three drugs are almost the same. Some of the most common side-effects are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, back pain, fast or irregular heart beat and some allergic reactions. They are not severe, but in case you experience any, you should inform your doctor.

To conclude with, in comparison to Meridia and Xenical, Phentermine is definitely the least useful one, and when choosing between the remaining two, Meridia has an advantage over Xenical in that it makes you feel fool and consequently you will take in less food and also less fat, whereas Xenical will not affect your satiety but only prevent your body from absorbing fat which is not a happy solution in the long run. Hopefully, this helped you make up your mind and now you can get your prescription for Meridia and enjoy the benefits.

Actually, about three years ago, I noticed that my appetite was somewhat larger than it used to be. I did not pay much attention to it and I could disregard the feeling of hunger and go on with my usual eating habits. However, as time passed, I could not overcome the desire to eat and I gradually started taking more and more food. It took me some time to realize that I also gained a lot of weight which was not usual for me. My husband noticed this as well. Of course, that did not bother him, but he knew how careful I was when it came to health, weight and similar things and he wanted to know if there was anything wrong. I told him that I had things under control and that everything was alright. But in time, I uncontrollably gained so much pounds that I could not recognize myself anymore.

Eventually, I explained the situation to my husband and he drew a rather reasonable conclusion – that there might be a physical reason behind this. He suggested I should get medically examined. I gave it some thought and realized that I had nothing to lose. So, I made an appointment at the doctors.

The doctor examined me really thoroughly and after some questions considering my lifestyle and overall health, he told me that I suffered from obesity and that for some reason the level of serotonin in my brain was so low that it gave me a constant feeling of being hungry. I could not believe what he said. I thought I would have to stand watching myself like this for the rest of my life. However, he set my mind at ease by giving me a prescription for a medication called Meridia. He said that since I generally eat healthy food and since I was physically a very active person before my condition, the effect of the medication would be even greater and I would see the results quickly.

And really, after only a couple of months, I was very satisfied with the amount of pounds that I had lost and I was so happy to know that soon I would be back to my old self again. I am now the same person that I was before. Of course, since obesity is a chronic condition, I will have to take it indefinitely, with occasional breaks, but honestly, I do not mind. As long as it makes me feel good and allows me to have my own way of living, I am fine with it.

In conclusion, I can only recommend Meridia to all of you who suffer from this terrible condition.

The most common side-effects are also the least serious ones. These include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, back pain, slight nervousness or depression, runny nose, sore throat, redness or mild skin rash and trouble sleeping. As you can see, these are not severe at all and most of them will probably go away in a few hours. Anyway, you should inform your doctor about it for there might be a need for the adjustment of your dosage.

When it comes to some slightly more serious side-effects, they are not so common. They include fast or irregular heart rate, breath shortness, hallucinations, fever, tremor, loss of coordination, agitation, stiff muscles, high fever, confusion, sweating, nosebleed, high blood pressure, pain in your chest, general feeling of being ill, weakness or problems with vision, speech or balance. Also, some allergic reactions may occur, such as rash, hives, itching, heavy breathing or swelling of your face, lips or tongue. In case you experience any of these, you should seek professional medical help. You should not panic, but remain calm and take a lot of water.

In general, the side-effects of Meridia do not occur so often and they have been reported in a very small number of patients. However, you should know that dosages that are higher than your doctor prescribed for you may easily lead to the occurrence of the side-effects, thus you should never adjust the dosage on your own. You should also never take double the prescribed dosage or even more. If you follow the exact instructions that your doctor gave you concerning the right usage of the medication, the chances that you will experience any of the previously mentioned side-effects are almost equal to zero and the effectiveness of your Meridia will reach its top level.

All in all, Meridia is a widespread medication in the treatment of obesity. It is a very safe medication, approved by FDA. However, it also has its side-effects like any other drug and you should inform your doctor if you experience any. The side-effects are not very serious and they appear in a rather small number of patients. Of course, you should never take more than the prescribed amount of the medication. All you have to do is follow your doctor’s advice and take pleasure in the effects of Meridia.

When it comes to the form and dosage of Meridia, it comes in the form of capsules and in three different doses – a 5mg dose, a 10mg dose and a 15mg dose. The one that is usually recommended is the 10mg dose. However, as mentioned before, your doctor will decide which one will be the best for you. This is determined according to a number of factors such as your overall health, other medications that you take, your illness history and any similar issues relevant to the effectiveness and safety of the drug. Of course, the capsules are taken orally with water once a day, with or without food.

Once you start with your treatment, it might be necessary that your doctor adjust the originally prescribed dosage. In fact, during the first four weeks of your treatment you should lose four pounds. If this does not happen then your doctor will probably prescribe you a higher dose of the medication. On the other hand, if you start feeling some of the symptoms of the side-effects, then you will probably need a lower dosage and your doctor will adjust it for you.

Of course, you should never take more than the prescribed dosage. If you feel like your medications is not working for you, tell your doctor about it and he will, as already mentioned, adjust your dosage to the amount they consider is safe for your body to take in. If you want to increase the effectiveness of the drug on your own it might happen that you take too much of it, more than your body can handle. In this case, you will only cause the symptoms of the side-effects to occur or you may even overdose and experience some very unpleasant consequences which you probably do not want for yourself. So, in order to avoid all that, you should strictly follow the instructions from your doctor and everything will be just fine.

In a nutshell, Meridia is one of the best and most used medications when it comes to treating obesity. It comes in the form of pills and in three different doses. The right dosage for you will be determined by your doctor according to a number of different factors. Sometimes it may be necessary that you change the dosage and your doctor will also make the adjustment for you. You should never take more than the prescribed dosage and if you follow your doctor’s advice you will only benefit from Meridia.

First of all, you can and should use this medication only if you really suffer from obesity and not only trying to lose a few pounds. More precisely, Meridia is intended for obese persons whose body mass index (BMI) is equal or exceeds thirty and for persons whose BMI is somewhat lower (twenty seven) but there are some risk factors like hypertension, diabetes or arthritis. BMI is the proportion of your height and weight in relation to your body fat. The higher BMI you have, the greater the risk for you to develop some serious problems with your health. If you want to calculate your BMI, the following page might be interesting to you: http://www.checkitstat.com/bmi

When it comes to the overall health of an obese person, there are also some restrictions. For example, people who are allergic to sibutramine should not use this medication. Also, you should inform your doctor if you suffer from coronary heart disease, angina or arrhythmia, if you have kidney or liver disease, if you have had stroke or symptoms of it or if you suffer from some a kind of  eye disorder which is called narrow angle glaucoma. People who suffer or have suffered from any of the above conditions will probably have to take lower dosage of Meridia.

Of course, if you are pregnant or trying get pregnant, if you are breast-feeding or if you are under sixteen, you should not take Meridia.

When it comes to the interaction of Meridia with other medications, some are possible with certain medications. In fact, you should not use Meridia with some other anti-obesity drugs which may be prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs, as well as some herbal products, with depression drugs or any other drugs that affect serotonin. The combination of Meridia and other drugs that regulate serotonin can cause a condition which is called “serotonin syndrome”. This is a rare condition but a serious one. It can cause symptoms such as confusion, loss of consciousness, restlessness, disorientation, increased heart rate and tremors. If you experience any of these you should immediately seek medical help.

All in all, although Meridia is a safe medication, not anyone can take it. Although the cases when you should not take Meridia are rare, you should be aware of them and, hopefully, this article provided you with information clear enough to you. If you found yourself in any of the above cases be sure to inform your doctor. If not, enjoy the benefits of Meridia and set your mind at ease.

In fact, several years ago, I noticed that my appetite was building up. I did not know a reason to this, for I was not physically active more than I usually am. I had to satiate myself, but with time I realized that I could not control my desire to eat anymore. I was constantly hungry and constantly eating, which was not normal. I told my wife about it and she said I was just nervous. But I wasn’t. I did not have any reason to be nervous.

Anyway, time passed and things did not change. Accordingly, I gained some weight and eventually found myself a huge man who could not fit some of his clothes. My children noticed this as well and they were beginning to worry. Not only was I getting bigger, but I was also starting to feel bad and had a feeling that my condition got worse every day. I tried to disregard the feeling of hunger and introduced long walks in the evening, but in vain. I could not help eating all the time. My children urged me to see a doctor.

And I did. I realized there was nothing I could do and that professional help was the only solution. The doctor examined me thoroughly and concluded that I suffered from obesity and that my overall health was strongly affected by it. He explained that I would have to take medication and make some changes in my lifestyle. I had to adjust my diet which was not too hard for me because I had never actually eaten unhealthy food, I just ate too much of it. And I was also to have regular physical activities which would enhance the overall state of my health. That did not surprise me and did not find it hard to do as well. Anyway, I got a prescription for Meridia.

I started bringing changes to my life and taking the medicine immediately. The doctor said I should lose four pounds during the first month and if I don’t he will have to prescribe me a higher dosage. A month passed and I lost six pounds! I was thrilled! I could also feel that my overall condition was much better. My family was relieved to see me get well.

After all, I can only recommend Meridia to all of you who suffer from obesity who have experienced the same troubles as I. Meridia really brought my life back on track and my family and I are so thankful for that. So, visit your doctor and start losing some pounds.

The generic name if Meridia is sibutramine hydrochloric monohydrate and it is meant to help you with your obesity issues. Actually, it suppresses your appetite and thus, with time, you will lose weight and your nervousness about food and eating will be gone, since your appetite will not be as large as it used to. And how does Meridia achieve this? It affects a substance in your brain called serotonin. Since serotonin is responsible for your feeling full, Meridia helps serotonin last longer and thus gives you a longer feeling of being full. In this way, the amount of calories will be significantly reduced and you will gradually notice the effects of Meridia.

As for the dosages Meridia comes in, it is available in the form of capsules and three different dosages – a 5mg dose, a 10mg dose and a 15mg dose. The usually prescribed dosage is 10mg. However, if this dosage is not right for you, your doctor will give you a bit higher dose of 15mg in case you do not recognize any significant effects or a lower dose of 5mg in case your body does not tolerate the 10mg dose. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before adjusting the dosage on your own.

When the side-effects are concerned, Meridia does have some, just like any other medication. Some of the serious, but not so common side-effects are allergic reactions such as rash, hives, heavy breathing or swelling of the face, lips or mouth, irregular heart rate, hallucinations, tremor, nausea, diarrhea, stiff muscles, sweating, high blood pressure, chest pain, weakness or vision problems. In case you experience any of these signs you should seek medical attention. Anyway, the common side-effects which are not so serious include upset stomach, constipation, headache, back pain, dizziness, stuffy nose, redness or mild skin rash. These do not require professional medical help. Generally, the side-effects occur very rarely and in a very small number of patients.

To sum up, Meridia is a medication that will help you in case of obesity. It is a safe medication which works by prolonging the affects of serotonin on your body. It is available in three different dosages and your doctor will decide which of them will best suit your needs. Of course, there are some side-effects to Meridia as well, but these are not very common and they will not bring you any serious harm. So, in case you have a few extra pounds visit your doctor and get your Meridia prescription.