Meridia is used to help people lose weight and help prevent people from regaining the weight they lost. It works by increasing the levels of specific chemicals in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. As a result, it promotes a feeling of fullness. Meridia is not approved for use in children under 16 years old. At this time, there are no standard off-label Meridia uses.
What Is Meridia Used For?
Meridia® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) is a prescription weight-loss medication that should be used in combination with a low-calorie diet. Meridia is approved for individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or a BMI of 27 or greater along with other risk factors, such as high cholesterol or diabetes.
With obesity on the rise (see Obesity Statistics), many people are searching for products to help with weight loss. Although the ideal weight-loss plans focus on gradual weight loss by eating a healthy diet and increasing physical activity (see How to Lose Weight), many people have difficulty following such plans (or feel they need extra assistance in their efforts). Before turning to drastic measures such as weight-loss surgery, many people consider using weight loss pills, especially if they have unsuccessfully tried to control their obesity (and exercise and diet have been ineffective). While there are many dangerous and unapproved weight-loss drugs on the market, Meridia is FDA-approved and has been shown to be safe and effective for weight loss.
How Does Meridia Work?
Meridia works by helping you to feel full more quickly. It acts in the brain, where it increases the levels of certain brain chemicals (including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) in specific areas of the brain.
Meridia does not increase the production of brain chemicals. Instead, it prevents the “reuptake” of the chemicals. As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release a brain chemical. The chemical enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough of the chemical reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell, and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any of the extra chemical that remains in the gap between the cells, preventing the chemical from further activating the second cell. This is called “reuptake.”
Meridia helps to block the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, so more of these chemicals remain in the space between the brain’s nerve cells. This gives the chemicals a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell. This action promotes a sense of fullness (the signal to stop eating). It does not suppress the appetite (the signal to start eating).
Meridia is not approved for treating obesity in children under the age of 16 years old. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using Meridia in children. There is some concern that Meridia may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children, much like SSRI antidepressants, which work in a similar way as Meridia.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Meridia for something other than weight loss. This is called an “off-label” use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Meridia uses.
Source: http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/meridia/meridia-uses-p2.html
My doctor did prescribe this medication to me , for other peri menapausal reasons and it works.. it however does not make me Lose weight it does however work for releaving ALL syptoms related to peri menapausal issues, such as sweating, sleeplessness, irritablity, and menstral issues.I believe this medication should be used to treat other things other than weight loss..it was infact used for depression when it was new .