Meridia Side Effects

Generic name: sibutramine

Note: This document provides detailed information about Meridia Side Effects associated with sibutramine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Meridia.

Applies to sibutramine: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. You will need to have your blood pressure and pulse checked on a regular schedule. Keep all appointments your doctor makes for you.

If sibutramine (the active ingredient contained in Meridia) does not seem to be working well, do not change your dose without checking first with your doctor.

Do not use sibutramine if you have taken an monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (e.g., isocarboxazid [Marplan], phenelzine [Nardil], procarbazine [Matulane], selegiline [Eldepryl], or tranylcypromine [Parnate] within the past 14 days. Do not take an MAO inhibitor within 2 weeks of taking sibutramine. To do so may cause severe seizures, extremely high blood pressure, or a life-threatening adverse effect called serotonin syndrome.

Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. This medicine may cause serious conditions called serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)-like reactions when taken with certain medicines such as linezolid [Zyvox®], lithium, tryptophan, St. John’s Wort, or some pain medicines (e.g., tramadol [Ultram®], sumatriptan [Imitrex®], zolmitriptan [Zomig®], or rizatriptan [Maxalt®]). Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines.

This medicine may cause a rare and life-threatening condition that affects the blood pressure in the lungs called pulmonary hypertension. Check with your doctor right away if you have new or worsening shortness of breath.

If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, Stop taking sibutramine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Sibutramine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, trouble in thinking, or poor judgment. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert or able to think well.

Do not drink excess alcohol while taking this medicine.

Sibutramine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may increase your blood pressure.

Common side effects of Meridia

Some side effects of sibutramine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of Meridia

Along with its needed effects, sibutramine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sibutramine:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to sibutramine: oral capsule.

General adverse events

General side effects, unrelated to a specific organ system, have included headaches (30.3%), back pain (8.2%), flu syndrome (8.2%), accidental injury (5.9%), asthenia (5.9%), abdominal pain (4.5%), chest pain (1.8%), and neck pain (1.6%).^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included dry mouth (17.2%), insomnia (10.7%), dizziness (7.0%), nervousness (5.2%), anxiety (4.5%), depression (4.3%), paresthesia (2.0%), somnolence (1.7%), CNS stimulation (1.5%), emotional lability (1.3%), amnesia, abnormal dreams, abnormal gait, amnesia, anger, cerebrovascular accident, impaired concentration, confusion, aggravated depression, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, hypesthesia, decreased libido, increased libido, mood changes, nightmares, short term memory loss, speech disorder, transient ischemic attack, tremor, twitch, and vertigo. Less than 0.1% of patients have experienced seizures during therapy.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included anorexia (13.0%), constipation (11.5%), increased appetite (8.7%), nausea (5.9%), dyspepsia (5.0%), gastritis (1.7%), vomiting (1.5%), and rectal disorder (1.2%).^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory system side effects have included rhinitis (10.2%), pharyngitis (10.0%), sinusitis (5.0%), increased cough (3.8%), and laryngitis (1.3%). Causal relationships have not been proven.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal aches and pains associated with the use of this drug have included arthralgia (5.9%), myalgia (1.9%), tenosynovitis (1.2%), and joint disorder (1.1%).^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (3.8%), sweating (2.5%), herpes simplex (1.3%), and acne (1.0%). A case of severe bullous drug eruption due to sibutramine (the active ingredient contained in Meridia) has also been reported.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included dysmenorrhea (3.5%), urinary tract infection (2.3%), vaginal monilia (1.2%), metrorrhagia (1.0%), and urinary retention.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included tachycardia (2.6%), vasodilation (2.4%), migraine (2.4%), hypertension/increased blood pressure (2.1%), and palpitation (2.0%), arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. A few cases of QT interval prolongation have also been reported.^[Ref]

The manufacturer has reported that in placebo-controlled obesity studies, sibutramine 5 to 20 mg once a day has been associated with mean increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of approximately 1 to 3 mm Hg relative to placebo, and mean increases in pulse rate of approximately 4 to 5 beats per minute.^[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included taste perversion (2.2%), ear disorder (1.7%), and ear pain (1.1%).^[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included thirst (1.7%) and generalized edema (1.2%).^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including significant improvements in serum triglyceride and HDL-C levels have been reported.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including cases of depression, psychosis, mania, suicidal ideation and suicide have been reported. If any of these events should occur during treatment with sibutramine (the active ingredient contained in Meridia) discontinuation should be considered. One case of exacerbation of panic attacks has also been reported.^[Ref]

If depression occurs during treatment with sibutramine, further evaluation of the patient may be necessary.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included reactions ranging from mild skin eruptions and urticaria to angioedema and anaphylaxis.^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Meridia side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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