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Q. I take atenolol for high blood pressure. I would like to take something to help me lose weight, and I have seen that I can buy Meridia online.
When I looked for more information, I read it should not be taken if you have high blood pressure. Since I take atenolol, my blood pressure is under control. Does that mean it would be safe for me to take this weight loss pill?
A. Meridia (sibutramine) is a controlled prescription diet pill. It should only be taken under careful medical supervision, as there are a number of potentially serious side effects and drug interactions to watch out for.
Although there are Web sites that offer to sell Meridia without a prescription, this is a dangerous plan. Sites that sell controlled substances without requiring a bona fide prescription might have few scruples about selling you counterfeit medicine.
What is more, the FDA notified doctors in November, 2009, that it is evaluating whether Meridia puts patients at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor will know if your blood pressure is controlled well enough for this risk.
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Please don't try to lose weight by taking meds. Join some kind of program with a support network and regular meetings. I was satisfied with Weight Watchers. There are other good programs out there as well. None are magic cures and require work. I have kept off 25 of 30 pounds lost for 3 years, but I may need a reinforcing set of visits to get that 5 back off. It is money well spent. My main secrets are exercise, lots of vegetables, and staying away from the crunchy peanut butter jar (I can eat it by the spoonful).
Some companies offer Weight Watcher at Work programs where the person is provided a meeting room once per week where you work and if you get enough attendees you can get a small discount. My company also subsidized part of the cost if you attended like 10 out of 12 meetings in a period.
Good luck on your quest to lose weight. It can be one of the most healthful things you can do.
Atenolol (Tenormin) is a beta-blocker. Weight gain is a side effect:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/beta-blockers/an01409
Perhaps you might consult your physician about controlling your hypertension
with a different class of drug?
Major weight loss is a very challenging, long-term project--most folks need to permanently change their relationship w/ food & w/ exercise. Having enough self-esteem to allow loving self-care is also usually involved. Group psychotherapy & hypnosis can make it possible to stick to an intention (NOT a " diet"), to permanently change your food plan.
Good point. You should always talk to your doctor and get a prescription. Or lose the weight without the pill; they're often scams anyway.