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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angelrose on October 25, 2000, at 23:06:17
Hi,
Has anybody tried Meridia for weight loss?
I know Meridia and Prozac taken together could possibly cause serotonin syndrome.
Just wondering if anybody has tried them simultaneously.
I'm desperate to lose weight and I cannot seem to do it, no matter how much or how little I eat.
The only way I have been able to lose weight is taking a vacation from my meds. but at this point I cannot imagine doing this.Suggestions, comments, advice, as always much appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by R.Anne on October 27, 2000, at 16:03:48
In reply to Meridia and Prozac, fatal combo?, posted by angelrose on October 25, 2000, at 23:06:17
Sorry, I haven't tried Meridia-it's too expensive for me, for one thing and my insurance won't cover it. I have tried Metabolite while on effexor and paxil and it's been okay. But I would consult my doctor if I were you.
****
> Hi,
> Has anybody tried Meridia for weight loss?
> I know Meridia and Prozac taken together could possibly cause serotonin syndrome.
> Just wondering if anybody has tried them simultaneously.
> I'm desperate to lose weight and I cannot seem to do it, no matter how much or how little I eat.
> The only way I have been able to lose weight is taking a vacation from my meds. but at this point I cannot imagine doing this.
>
> Suggestions, comments, advice, as always much appreciated.
> Thanks!
Posted by R.Anne on October 28, 2000, at 15:58:32
In reply to Re: Meridia and Prozac, fatal combo?, posted by R.Anne on October 27, 2000, at 16:03:48
I want to add that there is a drug interaction site at www.drkoop.com Good luck.
****
> Sorry, I haven't tried Meridia-it's too expensive for me, for one thing and my insurance won't cover it. I have tried Metabolite while on effexor and paxil and it's been okay. But I would consult my doctor if I were you.
>
>
> ****
> > Hi,
> > Has anybody tried Meridia for weight loss?
> > I know Meridia and Prozac taken together could possibly cause serotonin syndrome.
> > Just wondering if anybody has tried them simultaneously.
> > I'm desperate to lose weight and I cannot seem to do it, no matter how much or how little I eat.
> > The only way I have been able to lose weight is taking a vacation from my meds. but at this point I cannot imagine doing this.
> >
> > Suggestions, comments, advice, as always much appreciated.
> > Thanks!
Posted by JohnL on October 28, 2000, at 17:26:23
In reply to Meridia and Prozac, fatal combo?, posted by angelrose on October 25, 2000, at 23:06:17
Hi Angelrose,
Ya know, Meridia is something I haven't tried. I was tempted to at one time and did some research on it though.Basically what I came up with is that is a serotonin and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, in addition to whatever it does to block appetite. I saw comments from a couple people who were pleasantly surprised to see their longstanding depression lift while taking Meridia to lose weight. Now THAT's a cool unexpected side effect!
Anytime two medications that affect serotonin are combined warrants cautious dosing to prevent serotonin syndrome. To do that, starting with very low doses and increasing slowly is prudent. You may find after a while that it's not a problem at all, but it's better I think to be safe than sorry. If serotonin syndrome did happen, due the low dosing you would be able to catch it early and only experience a mild version of it, which would basically be something like malaise, diarrhea, chills, fever, flu-like stuff.
I had serotonin syndrome when I added St Johnswort to Paxil once. It was flu-like, bad diarrhea, extreme sedation. After stopping both meds, it went away in about 12 hours. I caught it early. Since then I safely added SJW to other serotonin meds, but was obviously more careful. I had been burned and learned.
What you want to do is probably pretty safe. But just to be sure, very low doses would be wise to start with. Whatever the Meridia dose is for example, cut it in half or even quarters to start with. Increase it gently and all should go well.
(disclaimer, just for grins...I'm not a professional and cannot prescribe, but statements herein are honest and true to the best of my knowledge. :-))
Posted by angelrose on October 28, 2000, at 23:41:08
In reply to Re: Meridia and Prozac, fatal combo?, posted by JohnL on October 28, 2000, at 17:26:23
> Hi Angelrose,
> Ya know, Meridia is something I haven't tried. I was tempted to at one time and did some research on it though.
>
> Basically what I came up with is that is a serotonin and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, in addition to whatever it does to block appetite. I saw comments from a couple people who were pleasantly surprised to see their longstanding depression lift while taking Meridia to lose weight. Now THAT's a cool unexpected side effect!
>
> Anytime two medications that affect serotonin are combined warrants cautious dosing to prevent serotonin syndrome. To do that, starting with very low doses and increasing slowly is prudent. You may find after a while that it's not a problem at all, but it's better I think to be safe than sorry. If serotonin syndrome did happen, due the low dosing you would be able to catch it early and only experience a mild version of it, which would basically be something like malaise, diarrhea, chills, fever, flu-like stuff.
>
> I had serotonin syndrome when I added St Johnswort to Paxil once. It was flu-like, bad diarrhea, extreme sedation. After stopping both meds, it went away in about 12 hours. I caught it early. Since then I safely added SJW to other serotonin meds, but was obviously more careful. I had been burned and learned.
>
> What you want to do is probably pretty safe. But just to be sure, very low doses would be wise to start with. Whatever the Meridia dose is for example, cut it in half or even quarters to start with. Increase it gently and all should go well.
> (disclaimer, just for grins...I'm not a professional and cannot prescribe, but statements herein are honest and true to the best of my knowledge. :-))
Posted by R.Anne on October 29, 2000, at 15:58:34
In reply to Meridia and Prozac, fatal combo?, posted by angelrose on October 25, 2000, at 23:06:17
Hi Angelrose,
I just visited drkoop's site and looked up meridia and prozac-I was curious, too! Here is what it said:There are 2 interactions for Meridia and Prozac :
1 severe, 1 medium, and 0 mild (1 is a drug/drug interaction , 1 is a food/drug interaction).
1. Severe Interaction between Prozac (generic: fluoxetine) and Meridia (generic: sibutramine)The risk for serotonin syndrome may be increased if these two drugs are coadministered. Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but serious adverse effect which requires immediate medical attention and may exhibit reactions such as excitement, hypomania, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, anxiety, agitation, myoclonus, dysarthria, tachycardia and emesis. The mechanism is probably due to additive serotonergic effects. The concomitant use of these drugs is not recommended.
References:
1. Anonymous. Product Information. Meridia (sibutramine). Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, Whippany, NJ. PROD; : .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Medium Food Interaction for Meridia (generic: sibutramine)
The risk for serotonin syndrome may be increased if tryptophan is coadministered with sibutramine. Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but serious adverse effect which requires immediate medical attention and may exhibit reactions such as excitement, hypomania, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, anxiety, agitation, myoclonus, dysarthria, tachycardia and emesis. The mechanism is probably due to additive serotonergic effects. The concomitant use of these drugs is not recommended.
References:
1. Anonymous. Product Information. Meridia (sibutramine). Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, Whippany, NJ. PROD; : .
In case you didn't look it up I thought you might want to know how dangerous it can be. Best wishes to you! r.anne*******
> Hi,
> Has anybody tried Meridia for weight loss?
> I know Meridia and Prozac taken together could possibly cause serotonin syndrome.
> Just wondering if anybody has tried them simultaneously.
> I'm desperate to lose weight and I cannot seem to do it, no matter how much or how little I eat.
> The only way I have been able to lose weight is taking a vacation from my meds. but at this point I cannot imagine doing this.
>
> Suggestions, comments, advice, as always much appreciated.
> Thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
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