Meridia (Sibutramine Hydrochloride Monohydrate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 21, 2012

Meridia

Obesity »

Obesity facts

Obesity means having excess body fat. For adults 35 and older, having a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.
Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration. It is a chronic medical disease that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, gallstones, and other chronic illnesses.
Obesity is difficult to treat and has a high relapse rate. Greater than 95% of those who lose weight regain the weight within five years.
Even though medications and diets can help, the treatment of obesity cannot be a short-term "fix" but has to be a life-long commitment to proper diet habits, increased physical activity, and regular exercise.
The goal of treatment should be to achieve and maintain a "healthier weight," not necessarily an ideal weight.
Even a modest weight loss of 5%-10% of initial weight and the long-term maintenance of that weight loss can bring significant health benefits ...

Read the Obesity article »

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

MERIDIA
(sibutramine hydrochloride) Capsule

MERIDIA®
(sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) Capsule

DRUG DESCRIPTION

MERIDIA® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) is an orally administered agent for the treatment of obesity. Chemically, the active ingredient is a racemic mixture of the (+) and (-) enantiomers of cyclobutanemethanamine, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-α-(2-methylpropyl)-, hydrochloride, monohydrate, and has an empirical formula of C₁₇H₂₉Cl₂NO. Its molecular weight is 334.33.

The structural formula is shown below:

MERIDIA® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) Structural Formula Illustration

Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate is a white to cream crystalline powder with a solubility of 2.9 mg/mL in pH 5.2 water. Its octanol: water partition coefficient is 30.9 at pH 5.0.

Each MERIDIA capsule contains 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg of sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate. It also contains as inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, NF; microcrystalline cellulose, NF; colloidal silicon dioxide, NF; and magnesium stearate, NF in a hard-gelatin capsule [which contains titanium dioxide, USP; gelatin; FD&C Blue No. 2 (5- and 10-mg capsules only); D&C Yellow No. 10 (5- and 15-mg capsules only), and other inactive ingredients].

What are the possible side effects of sibutramine (Meridia)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using sibutramine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

flu symptoms;
fast or pounding heartbeats;
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, chest pain, uneven heartbeats);
new or worsening shortness of breath;
seizure (convulsions)

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Meridia »

What are the precautions when taking sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate (Meridia)?

Before taking sibutramine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa), uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure, heart or blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, history of heart attack or angina, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, poor circulation in the arms/legs), stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack).

Before using this medication,...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 1/31/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.