Meridia Disease Interactions

The use of sibutramine is contraindicated in patients with anorexia nervosa. Sibutramine is an anorexiant used in the treatment of obesity.

Sibutramine and its metabolites inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and can induce substantial increases in heart rate and blood pressure in some patients. Sibutramine therapy should not be initiated in patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension and/or a history of coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, stroke, or other severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. All patients treated with sibutramine should have blood pressure and pulse measured prior to starting therapy and monitored at regular intervals thereafter. Sustained increases in blood pressure or pulse rate may require a dosage reduction or drug discontinuation.

Sibutramine and its metabolites inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and can induce mydriasis. In patients with narrow angles, pupillary dilation can provoke an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma. Therapy with sibutramine should be administered cautiously in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or anatomically narrow angles.

Sibutramine is converted by the liver to two active metabolites, which are further metabolized to inactive substances and subsequently eliminated by the kidney. Due to a lack of clinical data, the manufacturer does not recommend the use of sibutramine in patients with severe renal and/or hepatic impairment. Based on limited pharmacokinetic data, sibutramine may be administered in mild or moderate hepatic insufficiency at normally recommended dosages.

Obese, type 2 diabetic patients who achieve weight loss may demonstrate improved metabolic control of their disease as a result of their reduced weight. Therefore, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus should be monitored during weight-reduction therapy (or therapy that may be expected to induce significant weight loss as a secondary effect) for hypoglycemia and reduced need for oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin, and the dosages of these agents adjusted accordingly. Patients should be apprised of the risk of hypoglycemia and be alert to potential signs and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, confusion, tremor, hunger, weakness, perspiration, and palpitation.

Sibutramine and its metabolites inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. In clinical trials, seizures were reported in < 0.1% of patients treated with sibutramine. Therapy with sibutramine should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures.

Centrally-acting anorexiants are generally subject to habituation and abuse. While sibutramine does not appear to have a significant potential for abuse, clinical data are limited. Therapy with sibutramine should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of alcohol or substance abuse. Such patients should be observed carefully during therapy for signs of misuse of sibutramine.