Drug interactions

Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially other weight reducing agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan), antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric medications (e.g., MAO Inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan), tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl), ketoconazole, erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine or any drugs which can cause dormancy, including certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), certain antipsychotics (phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine), sedatives and anti-seizure drugs. Antihistamines and decongestants may be found in many nonprescription drugs for cough and cold. Consult your pharmacist. MAO Inhibitors (see above), including the antidepressant medications Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate, and this drug should not be taken together. If an MAO Inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug.

As with other diet medications, such as the now recalled Fen-Phen combination, use it only after careful consideration of whether or not the benefits of taking the drug would outweigh the possible adverse effects from its use and the health risks from being obese. If you are not meet these criteria, and you are interested in losing or managing your weight, then talk with your doctor, a nutritionist, and/or an exercise physiologist or trainer about your eating and exercise options.

When you are taking Generic Meridia (or other appetite suppressants), it is especially important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Alcohol (excessive amounts)
- Naratriptan (Amerge)
- Stimulants such as amphetamines, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Adderall, Didrex, and Ionamin
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Meridia (Sibutramine) may rarely increase your risk for serious bleeding, especially if you take other drugs such as "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin) or anti-platelet drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel). Meridia is generally not used in patients with heart disease, however, if you are prescribed any of these drugs for heart attack or stroke prevention, continue taking them and consult your doctor on how to minimize your risk of bleeding.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, herbal products) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. These ingredients include pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, ephedra, and mahuang, among others. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products.

Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas). Caffeine can increase the side effects of Meridia (e.g., increase your heart rate).