Meridia diet pills. Price, instructions for use, reviews

Meridia - a drug that is actively used to reduce body weight. Endocrinologists prescribe pills to obese patients, but often people use them on their own for weight loss.

The drug does not have a low price, but in most cases it is effective. However, it can be dangerous to use it without prior consultation with a specialist: the drug has a large list of contraindications and side effects.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

The production of the medication is carried out in Germany. It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Abbott. The drug is produced in the form of capsules, which are formed from gelatin. The products are hard to the touch.

The capsule cap is blue, and the body can be yellow or white, depending on the concentration of the active substance. Each product is printed with the number 10 or 15, indicating the amount of the active ingredient in it. Inside the gelatinous shell there is a white powder.

Capsules are packaged in blisters, which are made of plastic and metal foil. As a rule, there are 1-2 blisters in one cardboard box. The package contains from 14 to 28 tablets.

The main active ingredient in the composition of the drug is sibutramine hydrochloride. For the manufacture of capsules, it is used in the form of a monohydrate. Its concentration depends on the type of drug. The minimum amount of active substance per 1 tab. is 10 mg.

A drug containing 15 mg per capsule has a stronger effect. When choosing a type of drug, it is important to rely on the opinion of a doctor.

In addition to sibutramine, the medication contains excipients. Their main goals are to shape the capsule, preserve the properties of the active ingredient, as well as protect it from environmental influences and possible mechanical damage.

The excipients include:

• titanium dioxide;
• microcrystalline cellulose;
• gelatin and others.

Pharmacological properties

Meridia - diet pills, the price of which is due to the high quality and noticeable effect. When it enters the body, the gelatinous shell of the capsule dissolves, thereby releasing the active component, which begins to be absorbed into the blood. In the course of metabolism, it is converted and broken down into primary and secondary metabolites.

These substances, in turn, slow down the reuptake of a number of hormones:

• serotonin;
• norepinephrine;
• dopamine.

The component has a positive effect on a person, since it relieves him of anxiety and mutes the symptoms of binge eating, which often accompanies obesity.

In addition, these hormones regulate the feeling of fullness, thereby reducing the obsessive desire to eat. It is due to the suppression of appetite that a decrease in body weight occurs. Simultaneously with the loss of kilograms, the concentration of glucose in the body is normalized, which improves the condition in people suffering from diabetes.

Sibutramine also copes with the violation of the ratio of blood fats, has a positive effect on the lipid profile. Therefore, the drug is recommended for patients with dyslipidemia.

The active substance is easily absorbed into the circulatory system during its passage through the organs of the digestive tract. Sibutramine reaches its maximum concentration in the body within 1-1.5 hours after administration, and its metabolites - after 3 hours.

Most of the components of the drug (about 90%) are excreted by the kidneys. The remaining amount is excreted in the feces. The half-life of the active substance is 1.1 hours, and its metabolites - up to 16 hours.

How pills affect the process of losing weight

The drug starts the process of losing body weight by suppressing appetite. The capsules create a feeling of fullness, so the body's need for food decreases. A person taking the drug practically does not feel an obsessive desire to have a snack, and the satiety from food is felt much stronger.

Meridia - diet pills, the price of which is high, but fully justified by their effectiveness. The action of the drug, based on the properties of sibutramine metabolites, is also directed to the human nervous system. It prevents the process of reuptake of monoamines, due to which the body increases concentration of hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, which:

• suppress feelings of anxiety;
• increase the level of vivacity;
• improve overall well-being.

Thus, the drug contributes not only to weight loss, but also to the treatment of nervous system disorders that often accompany obesity and are its main cause.

According to reviews, losing weight with medication can achieve impressive results. So, with regular intake of the drug, a person loses up to 5 kg per month. With a standard course of therapy, which is 12 weeks, you can lose about 15 kg.

Indications for use

The drug is used primarily in the treatment of obesity. It is prescribed for diseases of an alimentary nature. This type of obesity is associated with an imbalance in the patient's diet, metabolic disorders, and excessive accumulation of subcutaneous fat.

The main indication for the use of the drug is a high body mass index. Basically, the medication is prescribed for obesity of 1, 2 and 3 degrees, when the BMI value exceeds 30 kg / m².

However, it is possible to use the drug at lower rates. So, capsules are used to get rid of excess weight (with a BMI above 27 kg / m²) if the patient has diabetes mellitus or dyslipoproteinemia.

In any case, the possibility of using the drug is determined exclusively by a specialist. Only a doctor can establish the acceptable dosage and course of treatment. Self-administration of the drug, without prior consultation with a professional, increases the risk of side effects and deterioration of well-being during therapy.

Contraindications

Meridia - diet pills, the price of which is justified by their high quality. However, the use of the drug must be treated with caution, since there are a number of restrictions and contraindications. In certain situations, sibutramine is dangerous to health, therefore, before using the medication, consultation with a doctor is required.

It is worth abandoning the use of capsules with the following diagnoses:

• diseases provoked by mental disorders;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• angina pectoris;
• angle-closure glaucoma;
• eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia);
• hypothyroidism;
• diseases associated with impaired renal function;
• pheochromocytoma;
• arterial hypertension of an uncontrolled nature;
• myocardial infarction;
• chronic generalized tic;
• stroke.

It is forbidden to use the drug during pregnancy. To date, there is no exact data on the effect of the active substance on the growth and development of the fetus, therefore, it is important for women expecting the birth of a child to stop using capsules. It is also not recommended to use the medication while breastfeeding, since there is a possibility that the active ingredient will be released with milk.

It is important to treat the use of the drug with caution in people with:

• epilepsy;
• bleeding tendency;
• glaucoma and other diseases.

There is a high risk of complications and side effects, therefore, Meridia should be taken under the supervision of a doctor and taking into account his recommendations.

At what age can the drug be used?

The use of the medication by persons under the age of 18 is not allowed. The drug is used exclusively for the treatment of obesity in adults. If it is necessary to select a drug for children or adolescents, it is necessary to consult a doctor and discuss this issue with him.

There are also age restrictions for adult patients. It is not recommended to use the drug in the treatment of obesity in people over 65 years of age.

This is due to age-related changes in the body, deterioration in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and a slowdown in metabolism. When using capsules by the elderly, the risk of complications, deterioration in general well-being, and serious side effects increases.

Instructions for use, dosage for weight loss

Meridia - diet pills, the price of which corresponds to their high quality. To achieve the desired effect, it is important to adhere to the regimen and dosage of the drug. The course of treatment and the maximum permissible daily intake of a medicinal product can only be determined by a doctor who is familiar with the characteristics of the patient's state of health.

The standard dose offered by drug manufacturers is 10 mg. Depending on the person's response to sibutramine, this amount may change during therapy.

So, if, when taking 10 mg of the active ingredient per day, the patient managed to lose less than 2 kg per month, it is possible to increase the daily rate to 15 mg. In the case when the increased dose also does not give the desired result, it is necessary to stop using the drug.

Taking the medication does not depend on food intake, so you can take the capsule both on an empty stomach and after or during a meal. It is best to take the drug in the morning. The capsule must be swallowed with a glass of clean water. You do not need to chew or break the product.

Side effects

In case of self-exceeding the daily dose, ignoring the requirements of the manufacturers or the treating person doctor, as well as the contraindications specified in the instructions, the risk of side effects increases action.

According to reviews, they manifest themselves in the form of the following symptoms:

• insomnia;
• increased blood pressure;
• sweating;
• depression;
• diarrhea;
• dry mouth;
• tachycardia;
• nausea;
• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• constipation;
• psychosis;
• drowsiness;
• sinusitis;
• various allergic reactions;
• convulsions.

Side effects are normal and should not be a concern in the first month of taking the medicine. Over time, their intensity decreases, and symptoms occur less frequently. It is worth contacting a doctor when side effects significantly reduce the quality of life or do not go away after 4 weeks of taking the medication.

After discontinuation of the drug, the patient may experience headache for a short time. In rare cases, appetite rises sharply.

Overdose

Meridia should be taken strictly in the dosage established by a specialist. If a person suspects that he has taken diet pills in excess of the norm, it is important to notify the doctor about this in order to prevent possible consequences in a timely manner.

The price of an overdose with a drug is a deterioration in well-being and the manifestation of some side effects, such as:

• tachycardia;
• headache;
• arterial hypertension;
• dizziness.

In case of an overdose of a drug, it is important to provide the patient with all conditions to maintain the normal functioning of internal organs. In particular, the state of the cardiovascular system and respiration are monitored. It is important to flush the stomach using activated charcoal. If necessary, symptomatic therapy is performed.

special instructions

The medication is used strictly under the supervision of the attending physician. Consultation with a specialist before starting a new course of treatment is necessary even if the drug was used earlier with the same diagnosis.

It is important to take sibutramine seriously because of the large number of side effects and contraindications. A drug is prescribed only when all other drugs have not been able to seriously affect the weight. A medication is considered ineffective if, in 3 months of admission, the patient managed to lose less than 5 kg.

Meridia is only part of the treatment for obesity. For a full-fledged treatment, it is also necessary to form new, healthy eating habits in a person and increase the level of physical activity.

If attempts to get rid of the disease are limited only to taking the drug, the lost kilograms will return within a few weeks after the end of the course. Proper nutrition and exercise will help consolidate the result.

Drug interactions

The drug is prescribed with caution to people taking medications of the following types:

• inhibitors of cytochrome CYP3A4;
• means for increasing blood pressure;
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
• means to increase the heart rate.

  

The use of Meridia is strictly contraindicated if the patient is being treated with drugs that affect the functioning of the central nervous system. It is also not recommended to use capsules at the same time with ethanol-containing products.

Analogs

The drug can be replaced with similar preparations containing sibutramine. However, before you start taking them, you need to consult with a specialist.

Name	Release form	Indications	Price in rub.
Goldline	capsules	alimentary obesity	1250–2300
Slimia	capsules	1300–2500
Reduksin	capsules, tablets	1700–2800
Lindax	capsules	1500–2700

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The drug is sold only with a prescription from a doctor. It is impossible to acquire it freely. This is due to the fact that sibutramine is a potent component.

The drug can be stored for 3 years. It is not recommended to leave it in humid places. Avoid sun exposure with medication. The optimum temperature for storing capsules is not higher than 25^OWITH. If there are children in the home, it is important that they do not have access to the drug in order to avoid accidental use.

Price

The cost of a drug depends on its type. So, a medication with an active ingredient concentration of 10 mg will cost less than capsules with a 15 mg component. Depending on the pricing policy of a particular pharmacy, the cost of the drug can range from 1,500 to 3,600 rubles. per pack.

Meridia is an effective diet pill that is used in the fight against obesity and overweight. Its high price is justified by its quality and fast action. Before you start taking capsules, it is important to check with your doctor.

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