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Meridia: A New Obesity Drug
What is it?
Meridia is the latest drug on the market for obesity. The generic
name for Meridia is Sibutramine. Meridia is a major departure
from the long history of weight loss drugs. Previously, the drugs
used were stimulants-everything from caffeine (over-the-counter
weight loss pills) to Fen-Phen and Redux to cocaine. Serious side
effects, especially with the street and over the counter drugs,
abounded.
How it Works
Meridia works by suppressing the appetite in a person through
preventing the degradation of norepinephrine and serotonin, two
brain chemicals. This is very similar to what the drug Prozac and
other anti-depressants do. These brain chemicals are believed to
be responsible for the sense of being satisfied with how much one
has eaten.
Still, Meridia, like its predecessors, is intended for obesity, not
simple weight loss. For most women, this means being at least 30
pounds overweight. Women with other risk factors such as high
blood pressure or diabetes can take Meridia if they are a bit less
obese. This is because extra weight causes more health problems
for those with high blood pressure or diabetes.
The Results
Of course, a lower calorie diet must be followed. Unfortunately, the
final results are far from dramatic. During a one-year study, an
average loss of 10 pounds was associated with 10-mg doses of
Meridia. A person using 15-mg per day lost an average of 14
pounds in the same time. The people with only a lower calorie diet
were not far behind with a weight loss average of 3.5 pounds. So
the bottom line is that there is about a 10 pound extra weight loss
in people. Given the criteria for taking the drug, this would mean
the patients were still significantly overweight. Don't be dazzled by
studies that show a bigger difference initially. It is the final weight
loss that matters.
Some common side effects include dry mouth, headaches,
constipation, and insomnia. No major life or health threatening side
effects have come to light, so far. Meridia is not associated with
pulmonary hypertension, which was a relatively rare but potentially
fatal side effect of "Fen-Phen."
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