Meridia

Meridia is a prescription drug that can be used to help people lose weight and keep it off. It comes in the form of a capsule and is taken once a day. Meridia works by affecting certain brain chemicals, which promotes a sense of fullness. Although most people tolerate the medication well, there are possible side effects of Meridia, such as headaches, constipation, and insomnia.

 

What Is Meridia?

Meridia® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) is a prescription weight-loss medication. Not only is Meridia approved to help people lose weight, but it is also approved to help people from regaining the weight they have lost.
 
(Click Meridia Uses for more information on what Meridia is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Meridia?

Meridia is made by Abbott Laboratories.
 

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).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;