I am wondering what the side effects of Meridia are for non-obese
people?  Are they the same as for obese people, are they the same
except stronger, or are the side effects different altogether?  Is it
more dangerous to take it if you just need to lose 10lbs as opposed to
being obese?

A good answer will specify side effects of normal weight people as
there is already plenty of web information on the side effects of the
obese.

Being a physician myself, I have to strongly warn that if you haven't
been prescribed Meridia by a medical practitioner and monitored by
that person, it is EXTREMELY dangerous to be taking them. Meridia is a
very potent norepinephrine (NE) and seratonin inhibitor and will
increase heart rate and BP, while increasing satiety (feeling full
after a meal).

For 10lbs Meridia is very very unnecessary and will only allow a peak
weight loss of 5lbs in most people in its dynamic time range of 2-6
months. And 90% of patients will regain the weight within 3 weeks of
ceasing the drug.

Now what you wanted to know : Side effects are virtually the same in
obese and slightly overweight patients ONLY IF THEIR GENERAL HEALTH
AND DISEASE STATUS IS THE SAME. So, in other words, an obese person is
likely to have more heart and vascular damage so side effects related
to these are bound to be greater in the obese patient. Other side
effects such as glaucoma, lactation, addiction and seizures are
non-obesity related ilnesses and therefore will carry the same risk in
a thinner person. Not to mention the miriad of drugs that can
violently react with this one, causing a dozen or more other side
effects. For more info on the drug, this site is very detailed
(http://www.rxcarecanada.com/Meridia.asp?prodid=1954) and should
answer all your questions.

Hope that helps, but for 10lbs your best bet is exercise not drugs,
this stuff is too dangerous and should only be used when the patient
is obese past the point where diet and exercise are useless.

Baz

Thank you doctor!  I guess you read my other post where I mentioned
that I have been excercizing strenuously for 8 months in combination
with a healthy diet and not managed to lose weight.  I am glad to hear
that Meridia is not more dangerous for non-obese people- I thought it
was and that's why it was not prescribed for them.  Considering the
possible dangers of Meridia do you know of any other prescriptions
with less side effects but still as effective?  I am mostly interested
in something that will speed up metabolism.  If I stick with Meridia
do you think it would help to get a monthly checkup with a doctor to
scan for any dangers?  Thanks again!

No sorry I didn't catch your other post, but in regards to that, are
you dieting and exercising properly? If so, then you won't need
appetite surpressants, but if you think you are dieting properly, it
could be a metabolic disorder.

Meridia, which you are obviously taking by your last comment, can be
very safe when monitored closely by a doctor, and if you have gone to
a physician then he/she has obviously decided you are a candidate
(since I know nothing of your medical history I am not in a position
to tell you otherwise). In regards to other drugs with less
side-effects, there are practically none. Any drug which "fiddles"
with hormone balance (especially seratonin) will have a wide range of
adverse effects.

You can however speed up your metabolism naturally, using vitamins (C,
D, most of the B vitamins also) to help do that. Some minerals such as
Zinc and Iron help greatly as well. Also nutrition plays a HUGE part
in raising metabolism, certain fatty acids, vegetables and a healthy
breakfast will all prepare and boost your metabolism for the rest of
the day. There are some drugs which claim to help metabolism such as
cytochrome enhancers and others, but these are just as dangerous as
the others. An excellent website which offers ways to diet and raise
your metabolism is: http://www.savvy-fat-burning-food.com/food-that-increase-metabolism.html

Hope this helps!!

Baz