Merida

Uses

Merida is used in the management of obesity, including weight loss and management of weight loss. It should be used in conjunction with a reduced caloric diet. Merida is recommended for obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia)

Merida is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: BMI >30 kg/m2

How Merida works

Merida produces its therapeutic effects by inhibition of norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and to a lesser extent, dopamine reuptake at the neuronal synapse. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, sibutramine promotes a sense of satiety and decrease in appetite, thereby reducing food intake. Data from animal studies also suggest that sibutramine may also increase energy expenditure through thermogenic effects in both the basal and fed states, but this has not been confirmed in humans. Merida and its major pharmacologically active metabolites (M1 and M2) do not act via release of monoamines.

Dosage

Merida dosage

The recommended starting dose is 10 mg administered once daily with or without food. If there is inadequate weight loss, the dose may be titrated after 4 weeks to a total of 15 mg once daily. The 5 mg dose should be reserved for patients who do not tolerate the 10 mg dose. Blood pressure and heart rate changes should be taken into account when making decisions regarding dose titration. Analysis of numerous variables has indicated that ≈ 60% of patients who lose at least 4 lbs in the first 4 weeks of treatment with a given dose of Merida in combination with a reduced-calorie diet lose at least 5% (placebo-subtracted) of their initial body weight by the end of 6 months to 1 year of treatment on that dose. Conversely, ≈ 80% of patients who do not lose at least 4 lbs in the first 4 weeks of treatment with a given dose do not lose at least 5% (placebo-subtracted) of their initial body weight by the end of 6 months to 1 year of treatment on that dose. If a patient has not lost at least 4 lbs in the first 4 weeks of treatment, consider reevaluation of therapy which may include increasing the dose or discontinuing Merida. The safety and efficacy of Merida have not been determined beyond 1 year at this time.

Side Effects

Commonly reported side-effects of Merida are dry mouth, headache, insomnia and constipation; diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness and rhinitis have also occurred. Less frequently reported side-effects include dysmenorrhoea, oedema, influenza-like symptoms, and depression. Abnormal bleeding, acute interstitial nephritis, emotional lability, migraine, seizures and skin rashes have been reported rarely. Clinically significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure may occur. Merida may decrease salivary flow and therefore increase the risk of dental caries, periodontal disease, or other oral disorders. It may also produce mydriasis. Increases in liver enzyme have been reported.

Toxicity

Side effects include dry mouth, anorexia, insomnia, constipation and headache.

Precaution

Use caution when prescribing Merida with other agents that may raise blood pressure or heart rate including certain decongestant, cough, cold and allergy medications that contain agents such as phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

Interaction

Merida should not be given concurrently with, or within at least two weeks of stopping an MAOI; at least two weeks should elapse between discontinuation of Merida and starting therapy with an MAOI. There is a risk of the serotonin syndrome developing if Merida is administered together with other serotonergic drug such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sumatriptan, lithium, pethidine, fentanyl, dextromethorphan and pentazocine. Merida should not be used with other drugs that may increase heart rate or blood pressure such as ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and pseudoephedrine (which may be ingredients of some cough and cold remedies). Alcohol should be avoided. Inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole and erythromycin, may increase plasma concentrations of Merida.

Food Interaction

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system and cardiovascular effects of centrally-acting appetite suppressants.

In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm

This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone.

Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected.

The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of centrally-acting appetite suppressants and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Patients should be counselled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

Merida Drug Interaction

Major: escitalopram, fluoxetine, bupropionModerate: aspirin, contained in alcoholic beverages , zolpidem, lorazepam, pregabalin, quetiapine, alprazolam, cetirizineUnknown: amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim, celecoxib, acetaminophen, methylphenidate, levothyroxine, sildenafil, ascorbic acid, orlistat

Merida Disease Interaction

Major: anorexia nervosa, cardiovascular, glaucoma, renal/liver diseaseModerate: diabetics, seizures, substance abuse

Elimination Route

Rapid absorption following oral administration. Absolute bioavailability is not known, but at least 77% of a single oral dose of sibutramine is absorbed.

Half Life

1.1 hours

Clearance

• Oral cl=1750 L/h [oral administration]

Elimination Route

Merida is metabolized in the liver principally by the cytochrome P450 (3A4) isoenzyme, to desmethyl metabolites, M1 and M2. These active metabolites are further metabolized by hydroxylation and conjugation to pharmacologically inactive metabolites, M5 and M6. Approximately 85% (range 68-95%) of a single orally administered radiolabeled dose was excreted in urine and feces over a 15-day collection period with the majority of the dose (77%) excreted in the urine. The primary route of excretion for M1 and M2 is hepatic metabolism and for M5 and M6 is renal excretion.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

The use of Merida is not recommended during pregnancy. Women of child-bearing potential should use adequate contraception while taking this drug. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy. It is not known whether Merida or its active metabolites are excreted in breast milk. It is not recommended for use in nursing mothers. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they are breast-feeding.

Contraindication

Patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), hypersensitivity to Merida or any of the active ingredients of Merida; patients with anorexia nervosa, patients taking other centrally acting appetite-suppressant drugs. Give with caution to those patients with a history of hypertension and do not give to patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension.

Storage Condition

Should be protected from light. Store in a dry place and between 15˚ to 30˚C temperature.

Innovators Monograph

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