Meridia and Pregnancy

Meridia and Pregnancy – An Introduction

Meridia® (sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate) is weight loss medication that is available on prescription. It is not considered safe for use by pregnant women. The studies have found that there are possible problems on use of Meridia in pregnant animals.

Meridia and Pregnancy – Category C

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes uses of a pregnancy category system for the classification of the probable risks to a fetus when a particular medicine is had while pregnant. Pregnancy Category C is assigned to medicines for which there have been no studies in pregnant humans, although in animal studies they seem to result in harm to the fetus. Moreover, a pregnancy Category C rating is automatically assigned to medicines for which there have been no studies in case of any pregnant women or animals.

Generally, there are no suggestions as per animal studies that state that Meridia causes problems in the case of pregnant women. But, in cases of having high doses of Meridia during pregnancy, there have been instances of a few birth defects.

On the other hand, it is essential to understand that that animals need not always react to drugs in the same manner as humans do. Hence, a pregnancy Category C medicine could be prescribed to pregnant women in case the doctor believes that the advantages it provides to the pregnant woman compensates any probable risks to the fetus.

Meridia and Pregnancy – Summing Up

In case you are pregnant, it is better to consult your doctor prior to taking any drugs. You and your doctor are in the best position to evaluate the probable benefits and risks of taking Meridia in your specific situation, in addition to considering other weight loss treatments.