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How should I take Ativan or Lorazepam? • Take Ativan or Lorazepam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. • Do not take more than is prescribed for you. • Ativan & Lorazepam are habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Ativan or Lorazepam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose. • Your doctor may want you to have medical evaluations during treatment with Ativan or Lorazepam to monitor progress and side effects. • Store Ativan & Lorazepam at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous. What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. • Symptoms of a Ativan or Lorazepam overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness. What should I avoid while taking Ativan or Lorazepam? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ativan & Lorazepam will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. • Avoid alcohol while taking Ativan or Lorazepam. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Ativan or Lorazepam. Alcohol may also increase the risk of a seizure if Ativan or Lorazepam is being taken for a seizure condition. • Ativan & Lorazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. What other drugs will affect Ativan & Lorazepam? • Ativan & Lorazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. • Antacids may decrease the effects of Ativan & Lorazepam. Separate doses of an antacid and Ativan or Lorazepam by several hours whenever possible. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ativan & Lorazepam. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about Ativan & Lorazepam written for health professionals that you may read. • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Ativan (Lorazepam) is an Antianxiety agent ( benzodiazepines, mild tranquilizer ) used for the relief of anxiety, agitation, irritability, to relieve insomnia, to calm people with mania / schizophrenia, and intravenously as a sedative and nervous tension or prior to surgery to relief the anxiety. Ativan has less of an effect on the liver then other benzodiazepines, making it better suited if you are taking birth control pills, anti-abuse drugs, propranolol, ulcer medications, or any other drug that affects the liver. Ativan may also be used to help in the prevention of severe alcohol withdraw symptoms ( Delirium Tremens), to treat serial seizures in children by placing it under the tongue, to promote amnesia, or in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and have severe vomiting. What is the most important information I should know about Ativan? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ativan will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. • Avoid alcohol while taking Ativan. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Ativan. Alcohol may also increase the risk of having a seizure if Ativan is being taken for a seizure condition. • Ativan is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Ativan is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose. How should I take Ativan? • Take Ativan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. • Ativan is also available as an injection. If you are using the injection at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the injectable formulation. • Do not take more than is prescribed for you. • Ativan is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Ativan is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose. • Your doctor may want you to have medical evaluations during treatment with Ativan to monitor progress and side effects. • Store Ativan at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous. What other drugs will affect Ativan? • Ativan may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. • Antacids may decrease the effects of Ativan. Separate doses of an antacid and Ativan by several hours whenever possible. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ativan. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about Ativan written for health professionals that you may read. • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed Lorazepam comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken two or three times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lorazepam exactly as directed. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. Lorazepam is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy, insomnia, and nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition. Ativan (Lorazepam) is an anti-anxiety agent (benzodiazepines,mild tranquilizer) used for the relief of anxiety, agitation and irritability, to relieve insomnia, to calm people with mania / schizophrenia and intravenously as a sedative and for nervous tension or to relieve anxiety prior to surgery. It has less of an effect on the liver than other benzodiazepines, making it better suited if you are taking birth control pills, anti-abuse drugs, propranolol, ulcer medications, or any other drug that affects the liver. Ativan (Lorazepam) may also be used to help in the prevention of severe alcohol withdraw symptoms (Delirium Tremens, or DTs), to treat amnesia, or in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and have severe vomiting. It may be given to children to treat serial seizures by placing it under the tongue. Narcotics may increase the sedative effects of this drug. Do not take other sedatives, benzodiazepines or sleeping pills with this drug. The combinations could be fatal. Do not drink alcohol when taking any benzodiazepine. Alcohol can lower blood pressure and decrease your breathing rate to the point of unconsciousness. The habit-forming potential of this drug is high. Do not stop taking this drug abruptly; this could cause psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms See physician if severe: clumsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, weakness See physician always: abdominal cramps,blurred vision, confusion, convulsions, disinhibition, dry mouth, forgetfulness, hallucinations, headache, memory loss, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, sore breast / milk secretion, staggering / trembling, trouble breathing, irregular menstruation, urination problems The benzodiazepines with longer half-lives, such as Klonopin, tend to give a more continuous calm than those with shorter half-lives. For some, the continuous relief from anxiety is a priority. Others take benzodiazepines such as Ativan on an "as-needed" basis, when they think they'll be entering a situation that may cause panic. How you use a benzodiazepine is up to you and your prescribing doctor or psychiatrist. Never stop taking a benzodiazepine abruptly and/or without telling your doctor. It is recommended that if you choose to stop the medication, you taper off slowly. Ativan online relieves anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders. Ativan online can be your solution to anxiety relief! Buy Ativan online. Ativan withdrawal was absolute misery. Who would have thought that decreasing a medication's dosage from 2 to 1 milligram, or from 1 to 1/2 milligram, could have such severe side effects? But that's how it was - headaches, swollen or cramping muscles, interrupted, poor quality sleep - I had all that and more. Ativan (generic name lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety and difficulty sleeping for those with bipolar disorder (manic depression). Found here are resources and information relating to this medication. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ativan (Lorazepam) will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Avoid alcohol while taking lorazepam. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by this medication. Alcohol may also increase the risk of a seizure if lorazepam is being taken for a seizure condition. Lorazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. Take the missed dose of Ativan 1mg or 2mg as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose of ativan 1mg or 2mg could be dangerous. 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Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lorazepam, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antihistamines; digoxin (Lanoxin); levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet); medications for depression, seizures, pain, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; probenecid (Benemid); rifampin (Rifadin); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; valproic acid (Depakene); and vitamins. These medications may add to the drowsiness caused by lorazepam. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lorazepam, call your doctor immediately. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lorazepam. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). 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Physical and/ or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking lorazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose. Take lorazepam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Lorazepam is also available as an injection. If you are using the injection at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the injectable formulation. • To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the oral concentrate with a dose-measuring spoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. • Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. • Lorazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/ or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking lorazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose. • Your doctor may want you to have medical evaluations during treatment with lorazepam to monitor progress and side effects. • Store lorazepam tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. • Store the lorazepam oral concentrate in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius), protected from light IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. LORAZEPAM - ORAL (lor-AYE-zeh-pam) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ativan USES: Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety. OTHER USES: This drug may also be used for seizures, alcohol withdrawal, prevention of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, tension headache, and for sleeping trouble (insomnia). HOW TO USE: Take as directed. The dose and frequency of use will depend on your condition and response. Long-term or excessive use of this medication can cause dependency. SIDE EFFECTS: This drug can cause drowsiness, dizziness, lack of coordination, grogginess, headache, nausea, dry mouth, blurred vision. If these effects continue or become severe, contact your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience any of these effects while using this drug: confusion, hallucinations, depression, yellowing of the eyes or skin, slow pulse, trouble breathing, fever/chills, prolonged sore throat, unusual tiredness, unusual bleeding or bruising. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: of: heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease or trouble breathing, muscle disorders, glaucoma, depression or psychiatric conditions, drug dependency, any allergies. Use caution driving or performing tasks requiring alertness. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this medication. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Caution is advised. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Use with caution. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription drugs you take especially: narcotic pain relievers, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, probenecid, seizure medication, barbiturates, theophylline. It is recommended to limit the use of alcohol while using this medication as excessive drowsiness can occur. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, slow reflexes, clumsiness, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness. NOTES: Long-term or excessive use of this medication may lead to tolerance. Use this only as directed. This is a potent medication. Do not share this with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at controlled room temperature away from sun and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. 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It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Ativan Information: Before using Ativan Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Ativan. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking clozapine or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Ativan. Ativan Directions Follow the directions for using Ativan provided by your doctor. STORE Ativan at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF Ativan and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Ativan Cautions DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Ativan for longer than prescribed. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking Ativan for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. Ativan MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ativan. Ativan WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of other medicines and alcohol. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines can cause drowsiness. FOR WOMEN: Ativan HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ativan during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF Ativan IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Ativan. Each year, about 17.2 million Americans buy diet and weight loss pills hoping to lose weight. Using drugs to speed up weight loss, burn extra fat or control obesity has always been irresistible. Many dieters prefer to use weight loss pills or diet drugs to control their weight and shape rather than follow a healthy diet and exercise plan. History of Diet & Weight Loss Drugs and Pills In the 50s and 60s diet pills were mainly amphetamine derivatives (speed). But due to addiction, doctors stopped prescribing drugs for weight loss. Diet and exercise then replaced drug therapy, temporarily. But in 1973 the FDA (the food and drug administration) approved a new drug for weight loss, called fenfluramine (trade name Pondimin). Then came dexfenfluramine (trade name Redux) in 1996. Some doctors prescribed phentermine (another type of weight loss medication) in combination with fenfluramine and the combined weight-loss drug was called fen-phen. Phentermine was also used in combination with dexfenfluramine (known as dex-fen-phen). The drugs worked by increasing Serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical (neurotransmitter) associated with improved mood, appetite and satiety. 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These regulations restrict a doctors ability to prescribe diet and weight loss pills for different conditions in larger doses or for different lengths of time. The practice of prescribing weight loss medication for periods of time or for unapproved conditions is know as off-label use. Using more than one appetite suppressant medication at a time (combined drug treatment) or using a currently approved appetite suppressant medication for more than a few weeks is also considered off-label use. Dangers of Diet & Weight Loss Drugs Diet and weight loss pills can have a significant impact on our blood pressure, metabolism and general health. Pills are not an easy option for easy or fast weight loss. Whether they assist weight loss or not, most diet and weight loss pills have unpleasant side effects, create drug-dependency and interfere with other medications. 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You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. • Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection. • If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycemia), you may feel very thirsty or hungry. You may also urinate more than usual. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of hyperglycemia. • Glimepiride is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels. • It is important to take glimepiride regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. What is glimepiride? • Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas. • Glimepiride is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with glimepiride if needed. • Glimepiride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my doctor before taking glimepiride? • Before taking glimepiride, tell your doctor if you have: · heart disease; · adrenal or pituitary gland problems; · or if you are under-nourished; or · have liver disease. • If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use glimepiride, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. • FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. • It is not known whether glimepiride passes into breast milk or if it could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take glimepiride without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take glimepiride? • Take glimepiride exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. • Do not change your dose of glimepiride without first talking to your doctor. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • Glimepiride is usually taken once a day, with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Follow your doctor's instructions. • Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. • Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection. • To be sure this medication is helping your condition, you will need to check your blood sugar at home. Your blood will also need to be tested by your doctor on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. • Glimepiride is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels. • It is important to take glimepiride regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. • Store glimepiride at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. • Symptoms of a glimepiride overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and coma. What should I avoid while taking glimepiride? • Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment. • Do not use glimepiride if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment. What are the possible side effects of glimepiride? • Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. • Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: · signs of congestive heart failure (swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, chest pain); · restlessness, irritability, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, confusion, or seizure (convulsions); · skin rash, itching, redness, or irritation; · easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or · nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). • Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as: · dizziness or weakness; · headache, blurred vision; · mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; · increased skin sensitivity to sunlight; or · dark urine. • Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, give an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection. • If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycemia), you may feel very thirsty or hungry. You may also urinate more than usual. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of hyperglycemia. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect glimepiride? • You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include: · isoniazid; · diuretics (water pills); · steroids (prednisone and others); · phenothiazines (Compazine and others); · thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others); · birth control pills and other hormones; · seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); · diet pills; and · medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies. • You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include: · nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); · aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol); · sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others); · a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); · beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); · probenecid (Benemid); or · a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin and others). • If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take glimepiride, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. • There may be other drugs not listed that can affect glimepiride. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about glimepiride written for health professionals that you may read. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. • Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Diet Pills available over the counter (OTC) contain a combination of medications, usually phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and caffeine, which act to control appetite. The active agent in these medications, PPA, is a central nervous system stimulant and has many effects on the body, one of which is to depress the desire to eat. Caffeine, also a stimulant, results in increased alertness and decreased drowsiness and fatigue when taken in low doses (50-200 mg). Caffeine also has some weak appetite-suppressant properties. Recently, the effectiveness of PPA-based diet pills as weight control agents has bee questioned. Studies show that although PPA may act on the brain to depress appetite, this effect is minimal, and PPA can produce some serious side effects, such as high blood pressure, nausea, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and hallucinations. Caffeine also affects circulatory function and has unpredictable effect on blood pressure. Because overweight people run a higher risk of hypertension, using PPA-based diet pills in the recommended dosages may seriously damage health, especially in those people who are unaware. If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight puts you at risk for developing many diseases, especially heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Losing this weight helps to prevent and control these diseases. You can shed weight safely and in a fast way with FDA-Approved Prescription Diet Pills Phendimetrazine diet pills are sympathomimetic amines, which are similar to amphetamines. Phendimetrazine is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" medication. This medication is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in conjunction with an overall diet plan to reduce weight. It is available as Phendimetrazine 35 mg tablets or Phendimetrazine 105 mg tablets for rapid weight loss. Buy Phendimetrazine Product Price Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -30 Tabs $49.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -60 Tabs $63.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -90 Tabs $80.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -30 Tabs $77.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -60 Tabs $93.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -90 Tabs $106.00 Order Product Description Phendimetrazine is a prescription weight loss medication.Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Phendimetrazine is recommended by physicians as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. Dosage Phendimetrazine is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals. Sustained-release or long acting products must be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing them will destroy the long action and may cause increased side effects. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, avoid taking a dose late in the day. Take Phendimetrazine as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Missed Dose If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, fever, fast breathing, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, panic or paranoid, drowsiness, convulsions, unconsciousness, unusually fast or slow heart beat, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, pale or flushing, chest pain, sweating, muscle weakness, agitation, large pupils, or delusions. Storage Phendimetrazine must be stored at room temperature away from heat and light. Do NOT store Phendimetrazine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do NOT keep outdated medicine past the expiry date. Phendimetrazine should be kept out of children's reach. Duration of Usage Phendimetrazine is usually taken for 8 to 12 weeks. Use in combination with other appetite suppressant medicine is generally not recommended. Consult your doctor before such use. Side Effects Blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, stomach upset or constipation may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience chest pain, nervousness, pounding heart, difficulty urinating, mood changes, breathing difficulties or swelling while taking this medication. If this medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded, avoid driving or engaging in activities requiring alertness. Precautions Tell your doctor your complete medical history especially if you have high blood pressure, an over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes or emotional problems. Consult with your doctor if you think you are pregnant or before breast-feeding. Important NOTE Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program. Do not share this medication with others. Phendimetrazine diet pills are sympathomimetic amines, which are similar to amphetamines. Phendimetrazine is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" medication. This medication is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in conjunction with an overall diet plan to reduce weight. It is available as Phendimetrazine 35 mg tablets or Phendimetrazine 105 mg tablets for rapid weight loss. Buy Phendimetrazine Product Price Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -30 Tabs $49.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -60 Tabs $63.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -90 Tabs $80.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -30 Tabs $77.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -60 Tabs $93.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -90 Tabs $106.00 Order Product Description Phendimetrazine is a prescription weight loss medication.Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Phendimetrazine is recommended by physicians as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. Dosage Phendimetrazine is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals. Sustained-release or long acting products must be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing them will destroy the long action and may cause increased side effects. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, avoid taking a dose late in the day. Take Phendimetrazine as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Missed Dose If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, fever, fast breathing, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, panic or paranoid, drowsiness, convulsions, unconsciousness, unusually fast or slow heart beat, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, pale or flushing, chest pain, sweating, muscle weakness, agitation, large pupils, or delusions. Storage Phendimetrazine must be stored at room temperature away from heat and light. Do NOT store Phendimetrazine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do NOT keep outdated medicine past the expiry date. Phendimetrazine should be kept out of children's reach. Duration of Usage Phendimetrazine is usually taken for 8 to 12 weeks. Use in combination with other appetite suppressant medicine is generally not recommended. Consult your doctor before such use. Side Effects Blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, stomach upset or constipation may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience chest pain, nervousness, pounding heart, difficulty urinating, mood changes, breathing difficulties or swelling while taking this medication. If this medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded, avoid driving or engaging in activities requiring alertness. Precautions Tell your doctor your complete medical history especially if you have high blood pressure, an over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes or emotional problems. Consult with your doctor if you think you are pregnant or before breast-feeding. Important NOTE Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program. Do not share this medication with others. Phendimetrazine diet pills are sympathomimetic amines, which are similar to amphetamines. Phendimetrazine is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" medication. This medication is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in conjunction with an overall diet plan to reduce weight. It is available as Phendimetrazine 35 mg tablets or Phendimetrazine 105 mg tablets for rapid weight loss. Buy Phendimetrazine Product Price Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -30 Tabs $49.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -60 Tabs $63.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -90 Tabs $80.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -30 Tabs $77.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -60 Tabs $93.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -90 Tabs $106.00 Order Product Description Phendimetrazine is a prescription weight loss medication.Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Phendimetrazine is recommended by physicians as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. Dosage Phendimetrazine is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals. Sustained-release or long acting products must be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing them will destroy the long action and may cause increased side effects. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, avoid taking a dose late in the day. Take Phendimetrazine as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Missed Dose If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, fever, fast breathing, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, panic or paranoid, drowsiness, convulsions, unconsciousness, unusually fast or slow heart beat, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, pale or flushing, chest pain, sweating, muscle weakness, agitation, large pupils, or delusions. Storage Phendimetrazine must be stored at room temperature away from heat and light. Do NOT store Phendimetrazine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do NOT keep outdated medicine past the expiry date. Phendimetrazine should be kept out of children's reach. Duration of Usage Phendimetrazine is usually taken for 8 to 12 weeks. Use in combination with other appetite suppressant medicine is generally not recommended. Consult your doctor before such use. Side Effects Blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, stomach upset or constipation may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience chest pain, nervousness, pounding heart, difficulty urinating, mood changes, breathing difficulties or swelling while taking this medication. If this medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded, avoid driving or engaging in activities requiring alertness. Precautions Tell your doctor your complete medical history especially if you have high blood pressure, an over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes or emotional problems. Consult with your doctor if you think you are pregnant or before breast-feeding. Important NOTE Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program. Do not share this medication with others. Phendimetrazine diet pills are sympathomimetic amines, which are similar to amphetamines. Phendimetrazine is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" medication. This medication is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in conjunction with an overall diet plan to reduce weight. It is available as Phendimetrazine 35 mg tablets or Phendimetrazine 105 mg tablets for rapid weight loss. Buy Phendimetrazine Product Price Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -30 Tabs $49.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -60 Tabs $63.00 Order Phendimetrazine 35mg -90 Tabs $80.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -30 Tabs $77.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -60 Tabs $93.00 Order Phendimetrazine 105mg -90 Tabs $106.00 Order Product Description Phendimetrazine is a prescription weight loss medication.Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Phendimetrazine is recommended by physicians as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. Dosage Phendimetrazine is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals. Sustained-release or long acting products must be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing them will destroy the long action and may cause increased side effects. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, avoid taking a dose late in the day. Take Phendimetrazine as prescribed. Do not take it more often or longer than directed. Missed Dose If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, fever, fast breathing, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, panic or paranoid, drowsiness, convulsions, unconsciousness, unusually fast or slow heart beat, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, pale or flushing, chest pain, sweating, muscle weakness, agitation, large pupils, or delusions.

Focus on: Xenical August 10, 2006 - Xenical (orlistat) is used in the management of obesity including weight loss, weight maintenance and prevention of weight regain when used in conjuction with a reduced-calorie diet. Xenical targets the absorption of fat rather than suppressing your appetite. It works by blocking some of the fat that you eat from being absorbed by your body... New Addition: Hoodia gordonii August 10, 2006 - Hoodia gordonii has received a lot of publicity in recent times for its natural appetite suppressant and weight loss properties. The active ingredient in Hoodia gordonii is the appetite-suppressing molecule, P57, which is licensed to the British pharmaceutical company Phytopharm who are researching its potential as an anti-obesity drug... More Resources: Browse by Medical Condition Top 200 drugs by sales New drug applications Pill Identification Illustrated Health Encyclopedia Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Pipeline These days, drugs can be found everywhere, and it may seem like everyone's doing them. Many teens are tempted by the excitement or escape that drugs seem to offer. But learning the facts about drugs can help you see the risks of chasing this excitement or escape. Read on to learn more. The Deal on Substances Thanks to medical and drug research, there are thousands of drugs that help people. Antibiotics and vaccines have revolutionized the treatment of infections. There are medicines to lower blood pressure, treat diabetes, and reduce the body's rejection of new organs. Medicines can cure, slow, or prevent disease, helping us to lead healthier and happier lives. But there are also lots of illegal, harmful drugs that people take to help them feel good or have a good time. How do drugs work? Drugs are chemicals or substances that change the way our bodies work. When you put them into your body (often by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting them), drugs find their way into your bloodstream and are transported to parts of your body, such as your brain. In the brain, drugs may either intensify or dull your senses, alter your sense of alertness, and sometimes decrease physical pain. A drug may be helpful or harmful. The effects of drugs can vary depending upon the kind of drug taken, how much is taken, how often it is used, how quickly it gets to the brain, and what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry. Although substances can feel good at first, they can ultimately do a lot of harm to the body and brain. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, taking illegal drugs, and sniffing glue can all cause serious damage to the human body. Some drugs severely impair a person's ability to make healthy choices and decisions. Teens who drink, for example, are more likely to get involved in dangerous situations, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex. And just as there are many kinds of drugs available, there are as many reasons for trying drugs or starting to use drugs regularly. People take drugs just for the pleasure they believe they can bring. Often it's because someone tried to convince them that drugs would make them feel good or that they'd have a better time if they took them. Some teens believe drugs will help them think better, be more popular, stay more active, or become better athletes. Others are simply curious and figure one try won't hurt. Others want to fit in. A few use drugs to gain attention from their parents. Many teens use drugs because they are depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems. The truth is, drugs don't solve problems. Drugs simply hide feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain - or become worse. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life. What are some of the more common drugs? Alcohol The oldest and most widely used drug in the world, alcohol is a depressant that alters perceptions, emotions, and senses. How It's Used: Alcohol is a liquid that is drunk. Effects & Dangers: Alcohol first acts as a stimulant, and then it makes people feel relaxed and a bit sleepy. High doses of alcohol seriously affect a person's judgment and coordination. Drinkers may have slurred speech, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss, and slow reaction times. Large volumes of alcohol drunk in a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning. Addictiveness: Teens who use alcohol can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning. Some teens are also at risk of becoming physically addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal from alcohol can be painful and even life threatening. Symptoms range from shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucinations, fever, and convulsions. Amphetamines Amphetamines are stimulants that accelerate functions in the brain and body. They come in pills or tablets. Prescription diet pills also fall into this category of drugs. Street Names: speed, uppers, dexies, bennies How They're Used: Amphetamines are swallowed, inhaled, or injected. Effects & Dangers: Swallowed or snorted, these drugs hit users with a fast high, making them feel powerful, alert, and energized. Uppers pump up heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, and they can also cause sweating, shaking, headaches, sleeplessness, and blurred vision. Prolonged use may cause hallucinations and intense paranoia. Addictiveness: Amphetamines are psychologically addictive. Users who stop report that they experience various mood problems such as aggression and anxiety and intense cravings for the drugs. Cocaine and Crack Cocaine is a white crystalline powder made from the dried leaves of the coca plant. Crack, named for its crackle when heated, is made from cocaine. It looks like white or tan pellets. Street Names for Cocaine: coke, snow, blow, nose candy, white, big C Street Names for Crack: freebase, rock How They're Used: Cocaine is inhaled through the nose or injected. Crack is smoked. Effects & Dangers: Cocaine is a stimulant that rocks the central nervous system, giving users a quick, intense feeling of power and energy. Snorting highs last between 15 and 30 minutes; smoking highs last between 5 and 10 minutes. Cocaine also elevates heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Injecting cocaine can give you hepatitis or AIDS if you share needles with other users. Snorting can also put a hole inside the lining of your nose. First-time users - even teens - of both cocaine and crack can stop breathing or have fatal heart attacks. Using either of these drugs even one time can kill you. Addictiveness: These drugs are highly addictive, and as a result, the drug, not the user, calls the shots. Even after one use, cocaine and crack can create both physical and psychological cravings that make it very, very difficult for users to stop. Cough and Cold Medicines (DXM) Several over-the-counter cough and cold medicines contain the ingredient dextromethorphan (also called DXM). If taken in large quantities, these over-the-counter medicines can cause hallucinations, loss of motor control, and "out-of-body" (or disassociative) sensations. Street Names: triple C, candy, C-C-C, dex, DM, drex, red devils, robo, rojo, skittles, tussin, velvet, vitamin D How They're Used: Cough and cold medicines, which come in tablets, capsules, gel caps, and lozenges as well as syrups, are swallowed. DXM is often extracted from cough and cold medicines, put into powder form, and snorted. Effects & Dangers: Small doses help suppress coughing, but larger doses can cause fever, confusion, impaired judgment, blurred vision, dizziness, paranoia, excessive sweating, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, headache, lethargy, numbness of fingers and toes, redness of face, dry and itchy skin, loss of consciousness, seizures, brain damage, and even death. Sometimes users mistakenly take cough syrups that contain other medications in addition to dextromethorphan. High doses of these other medications can cause serious injury or death. Addictiveness: People who use cough and cold medicines and DXM regularly to get high can become psychologically dependent upon them (meaning they like the feeling so much they can't stop, even though they aren't physically addicted). Depressants Depressants, such as tranquilizers and barbiturates, calm nerves and relax muscles. Many are legally available by prescription (such as Valium and Xanax) and are bright-colored capsules or tablets. Street Names: downers, goof balls, barbs, ludes How They're Used: Depressants are swallowed. Effects & Dangers: When used as prescribed by a doctor and taken at the correct dosage, depressants can help people feel calm and reduce angry feelings. Larger doses can cause confusion, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and tremors. Very large doses can cause a person to stop breathing and result in death. Depressants and alcohol should never be mixed - this combination greatly increases the risk of overdose and death. Addictiveness: Depressants can cause both psychological and physical dependence. Ecstasy (MDMA) This is a designer drug created by underground chemists. It comes in powder, tablet, or capsule form. Ecstasy is a popular club drug among teens because it is widely available at raves, dance clubs, and concerts. Street Names: XTC, X, Adam, E, Roll How It's Used: Ecstasy is swallowed or sometimes snorted. Effects & Dangers: This drug combines a hallucinogenic with a stimulant effect, making all emotions, both negative and positive, much more intense. Users feel a tingly skin sensation and an increased heart rate. Ecstasy can also cause dry mouth, cramps, blurred vision, chills, sweating, and nausea. Sometimes users clench their jaws while using. They may chew on something (like a pacifier) to relieve this symptom. Many users also experience depression, paranoia, anxiety, and confusion. There is some concern that these effects on the brain and emotion can become permanent with chronic use of ecstasy. Ecstasy also raises the temperature of the body. This increase can sometimes cause organ damage or even death. Addictiveness: Although the physical addictiveness of Ecstasy is unknown, teens who use it can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. GHB GHB, which stands for gamma hydroxybutyrate, is often made in home basement labs, usually in the form of a liquid with no odor or color. It has gained popularity at dance clubs and raves and is a popular alternative to Ecstasy for some teens and young adults. The number of people brought to emergency departments because of GHB side effects is quickly rising in the United States. And according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), since 1995 GHB has killed more users than Ecstasy. Street Names: Liquid Ecstasy, G, Georgia Home Boy How It's Used: When in liquid or powder form (mixed in water), GHB is drunk; in tablet form it is swallowed. Effects & Dangers: GHB is a depressant drug that can cause both euphoric (high) and hallucinogenic effects. The drug has several dangerous side effects, including severe nausea, breathing problems, decreased heart rate, and seizures. GHB has been used for date rape because it is colorless and odorless and easy to slip into drinks. At high doses, users can lose consciousness within minutes. It's also easy to overdose: There is only a small difference between the dose used to get high and the amount that can cause an overdose. Overdosing GHB requires emergency care in a hospital right away. Within an hour GHB overdose can cause coma and stop someone's breathing, resulting in death. GHB (even at lower doses) mixed with alcohol is very dangerous - using it even once can kill you. Addictiveness: When users come off GHB they may have withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety. Teens may also become dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. Heroin Heroin comes from the dried milk of the opium poppy, which is also used to create the class of painkillers called narcotics - medicines like codeine and morphine. Heroin can range from a white to dark brown powder to a sticky, tar-like substance. Street Names: horse, smack, Big H, junk How It's Used: Heroin is injected, smoked, or inhaled (if it is pure). Effects & Dangers: Heroin gives you a burst of euphoric (high) feelings, especially if it's injected. This high is often followed by drowsiness, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Users feel the need to take more heroin as soon as possible just to feel good again. With long-term use, heroin ravages the body. It is associated with chronic constipation, dry skin, scarred veins, and breathing problems. Users who inject heroin often have collapsed veins and put themselves at risk of getting deadly infections such as HIV, hepatitis B or C, and bacterial endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) if they share needles with other users. Addictiveness: Heroin is extremely addictive and easy to overdose on (which can cause death). Withdrawal is intense and symptoms include insomnia, vomiting, and muscle pain. Inhalants Inhalants are substances that are sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate rush or high. They include household products like glues, paint thinners, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, correction fluid, hair spray, aerosol deodorants, and spray paint. How It's Used: Inhalants are breathed in directly from the original container (sniffing or snorting), from a plastic bag (bagging), or by holding an inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth (huffing). Effects & Dangers: Inhalants make you feel giddy and confused, as if you were drunk. Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and may suffer loss of hearing and sense of smell. Inhalants are the most likely of abused substances to cause severe toxic reaction and death. Using inhalants, even one time, can kill you. Addictiveness: Inhalants can be very addictive. Teens who use inhalants can become psychologically dependent upon them to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. Ketamine Ketamine hydrochloride is a quick-acting anesthetic that is legally used in both humans (as a sedative for minor surgery) and animals (as a tranquilizer). At high doses, it causes intoxication and hallucinations similar to LSD. Street Names: K, Special K, vitamin K, bump, cat Valium How It's Used: Ketamine usually comes in powder that users snort. Users often do it along with other drugs such as Ecstasy (called kitty flipping) or cocaine or sprinkle it on marijuana blunts. Effects & Dangers: Users may become delirious, hallucinate, and lose their sense of time and reality. The trip - also called K-hole - that results from ketamine use lasts up to 2 hours. Users may become nauseated or vomit, become delirious, and have problems with thinking or memory. At higher doses, ketamine causes movement problems, body numbness, and slowed breathing. Overdosing on ketamine can stop you from breathing - and kill you. Addictiveness: Teens who use it can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. LSD LSD (which stands for lysergic acid diethylamide) is a lab-brewed hallucinogen and mood-changing chemical. LSD is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Street Names: acid, blotter, doses, microdots How It's Used: LSD is licked or sucked off small squares of blotting paper. Capsules and liquid forms are swallowed. Paper squares containing acid may be decorated with cute cartoon characters or colorful designs. Effects & Dangers: Hallucinations occur within 30 to 90 minutes of dropping acid. People say their senses are intensified and distorted - they see colors or hear sounds with other delusions such as melting walls and a loss of any sense of time. But effects are unpredictable, depending on how much LSD is taken and the user. Once you go on an acid trip, you can't get off until the drug is finished with you - at times up to about 12 hours or even longer! Bad trips may cause panic attacks, confusion, depression, and frightening delusions. Physical risks include sleeplessness, mangled speech, convulsions, increased heart rate, and coma. Users often have flashbacks in which they feel some of the effects of LSD at a later time without having used the drug again. Addictiveness: Teens who use it can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. Marijuana The most widely used illegal drug in the United States, marijuana resembles green, brown, or gray dried parsley with stems or seeds. A stronger form of marijuana called hashish (hash) looks like brown or black cakes or balls. Marijuana is often called a gateway drug because frequent use often leads to the use of stronger drugs. Street Names: pot, weed, blunts, chronic, grass, reefer, herb, ganja How It's Used: Marijuana is typically smoked in cigarette (joints), hollowed-out cigars (blunts), pipes (bowls), or water pipes (bongs). Some people mix it into foods or brew it as a tea. Effects & Dangers: Marijuana can affect mood and coordination. Users may experience mood swings that range from stimulated or happy to drowsy or depressed. Marijuana also elevates heart rate and blood pressure. Some people get red eyes and feel very sleepy or hungry. The drug can also make some people paranoid or cause them to hallucinate. Marijuana is as tough on the lungs as cigarettes - steady smokers suffer coughs, wheezing, and frequent colds. Addictiveness: Teens who use marijuana can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more marijuana to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning. Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant. Street Names: crank, meth, speed, crystal, chalk, fire, glass, crypto, ice How It's Used: It can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked. Effects & Dangers: Users feel a euphoric rush from methamphetamine, particularly if it is smoked or shot up. But they can develop tolerance quickly - and will use more meth for longer periods of time, resulting in sleeplessness, paranoia, and hallucinations. Users sometimes have intense delusions such as believing that there are insects crawling under their skin. Prolonged use may result in violent, aggressive behavior, psychosis, and brain damage. The chemicals used to make methamphetamine can also be dangerous to both people and the environment. Addictiveness: Methamphetamine is highly addictive. Nicotine Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco. This drug is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream when smoked. How It's Used: Nicotine is typically smoked in cigarettes or cigars. Some people put a pinch of tobacco (called chewing or smokeless tobacco) into their mouths and absorb nicotine through the lining of their mouths. Effects & Dangers: Physical effects include rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, and a greater likelihood of colds and flu. Nicotine users have an increased risk for lung and heart disease and stroke. Smokers also have bad breath and yellowed teeth. Chewing tobacco users may suffer from cancers of the mouth and neck. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, anger, restlessness, and insomnia. Addictiveness: Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, which makes it extremely difficult to quit. Those who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time breaking the habit. Rohypnol Rohypnol (pronounced: ro-hip-nol) is a low-cost, increasingly popular drug. Because it often comes in presealed bubble packs, many teens think that the drug is safe. Street Names: roofies, roach, forget-me pill, date rape drug How It's Used: This drug is swallowed, sometimes with alcohol or other drugs. Effects & Dangers: Rohypnol is a prescription antianxiety medication that is 10 times more powerful than Valium. It can cause the blood pressure to drop, as well as cause memory loss, drowsiness, dizziness, and an upset stomach. Though it's part of the depressant family of drugs, it causes some people to be overly excited or aggressive. Rohypnol has received a lot of attention because of its association with date rape. Many teen girls and women report having been raped after having rohypnol slipped into their drinks. The drug also causes "anterograde amnesia." This means it's hard to remember what happened while on the drug, like a blackout. Because of this it can be hard to give important details if a young woman wants to report the rape. Addictiveness: Users can become physically addicted to rohypnol, so it can cause extreme withdrawal symptoms when users stop. Updated and reviewed by: Michele Van Vranken, MD Date reviewed: November 2004 Originally reviewed by: Jonathan A. Schneider, DO The War on Drugs is an initiative undertaken by the United States to carry out an "all-out offensive" (as President Nixon described it) against the prohibited use of certain legally controlled drugs. The Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress noted in a 1989 report that the nation's war on drugs could be considered to have started in public policy dating to November 1880, when the U.S. and China completed an agreement that prohibited the shipment of opium between the two countries. By February 1887, the 49th Congress enacted legislation making it a misdemeanor for anyone on American soil to be found guilty of violating this ban. It became officially the "war on drugs" in the 1930s, with the marijuana scare that banned possession and cultivation of cannabis (including hemp). The "War on Drugs" sought to cause a massive surge in cost for illicit mind-altering substances. It succeeded in this aim, from the perspective of mark-ups, in turn raising the market value of the trade in highly targeted drugs such as cocaine and heroin to over a trillion dollars. However, it failed in terms of retail prices in the long term. This has had several prominent sociological, economic and political effects. A case in point is the South American country of Colombia, which had developed a commodity market to manage its imports and exports by the late 1960s. The subsequent actions taken by the American government included dumping surplus corn and grain into the Colombian market below market prices, depressing domestic production. The following decades showed a substantial rise in demand for cocaine in America. A number of economically depressed Colombian farmers in several remote areas of the country began to turn to what became a new, illicit cash crop for its high resale value and cheap manufacturing process. Local coca cultivation, however, remained comparatively rare in Colombia until the mid-1990s. Drug traffickers originally imported most coca base from traditional producers in Peru and Bolivia for processing in Colombia, until eradication efforts in those countries resulted in a "balloon effect". No significant impact on retail or wholesale prices, UK Govt reportContents [hide] 1 History 2 United States policy 3 Environmental effects 4 References 5 See also 6 External links [edit] History Nixon's modern-day "War on Drugs" began in 1971. He characterized the abuse of illicit substances as "America's public enemy number one." This coincided with Colombia's depressed domestic market, providing a fertile ground for the exploitation of the American hunger for narcotics. Thus began the rise of a culture that is still romanticized in popular media; drug cartel groups and families including Pablo Escobar's reign over Medellin became the norm in areas where the drug trade was an important part of the local economy. The political implications of the "War on Drugs" are extensive and the impact of the program has been far-reaching. Furthermore, according to a report released in March 2006 by the Justice Policy Institute, commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance, America's "Drug-Free Zones" are ineffective at keeping youths away from drugs, and instead create strong racial disparities in the judicial system.[1] Around the turn of the 20th century, a perception of widespread abuse of cocaine caused policy-makers in the U.S. to consider drug abuse a serious social problem rather than as cases of personal failures. In 1988, towards the close of the Reagan Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was created to centrally coordinate legislative, security, diplomatic, research and health policy throughout the government. In recognition of his central role, the director of ONDCP is commonly known as the Drug Czar. Despite the Reagan Administration's high-profile public pronouncements, secretly, many senior officials of the Reagan administration illegally trained and armed the Nicaraguan Contras, which they funded by the shipment of large quantities of cocaine into the United States using U.S. government aircraft and U.S. military facilities.[2][3]. Funding for the Contras was also obtained through the illegal sale of weaponry to Iran. When this practice was discovered and condemned in the media, it was referred to as the Iran-Contra affair, but the large cocaine shipments into the US to fund the Admininstration's illegal foreign policy ageda were much less known. Another milestone occurred in 1996, when 56% of California voters voted yes to Proposition 215, legalizing the growing and use of marijuana for medical purposes. This created significant legal and policy tensions between the Federal and State governments. Courts have since decided that neither this, nor any similar acts, will protect users from federal prosecution. Regardless of public opinion, marijuana could be the single most targeted drug in the drug war. It constitutes almost half of all drug arrests, and between 1990-2002, out of the overall drug arrests, 82% of the increase was for marijuana. In this same time period, New York experienced an increase of 2,640% for marijuana possession arrests. [edit] United States policy Operation Mallorca, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2005 (US Department of Justice press release)For U.S. public policy purposes, drug abuse is any personal use of a drug contrary to law. The definition includes legal pharmaceuticals if they are obtained by illegal means or used for non-medicinal purposes. This differs from what mental health professionals classify as drug abuse per the DSM-IV, which is defined as more problematic drug misuse, both of which are different from drug use. Domestically the War On Drugs has helped to create the U. S. Prison industry, which takes care of the largest prison population on Earth — reaching a total of 2.2 million inmates in the U. S. in 2005. The United States has also initiated a number of military actions as part of its "War on Drugs", such as the 1989 invasion of Panama codenamed Operation Just Cause involving 25,000 United States troops. The U.S. alleged that Gen. Manuel Noriega, head of government of Panama, was involved in drug trafficking in (Panama). As part of Plan Colombia, the U.S. has funded coca eradication through private contractors such as DynCorp and helped train the Colombian armed forces to eradicate coca and fight left-wing guerrillas such as the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and right-wing paramilitaries such as the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia), both of which have been accused of participating in the illegal drug trade in their areas of influence. In 2000, the Clinton administration initially waived all but one of the human rights conditions attached to Plan Colombia, considering such aid as crucial to national security at the time.[4] Subsequently, the U.S. government certified that the Colombian government had taken steps to improve respect for human rights and to prosecute abusers among its security forces.[5] The U.S. has later denied aid to individual Colombian military units accused of such abuses, such as the Palanquero Air Force base and the Army's XVII Brigade.[6][7] Opponents of aid given to the Colombian military as part of the War on Drugs argue that the U.S. and Colombian governments primarily focus on fighting the guerrillas, devoting less attention to the paramilitaries although these have a greater degree of participation in the illicit drug industry. Critics argue that Human Rights Watch, congressional committees and other entities have documented the existence of connections between members of the Colombian military and the AUC, and that Colombian military personnel have committed human rights abuses which would make them ineligible for U.S. aid under current laws. [edit] Environmental effects Another initiative that has drawn criticism is the spraying of hundreds of thousands of acres of jungle and countryside with chemical herbicides, which opponents consider to have been harmful to the environment and to many living forms in the affected areas. It is alleged that this has been counterproductive, as farmers with few available alternatives and with damaged legal crops would have continued to turn to coca cultivation despite (or, in fact, because of) repeated eradication efforts. [edit] References This article or section does not cite its references or sources. You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. ^ How drug-free zone laws impact racial disparity–and fail to protect youth. Justice Policy Institute. Retrieved on July 27, 2006. ^ The Contras, Cocaine, and Covert Operations / Documentation of Official U.S. Knowledge of Drug Trafficking and the Contras. The National Security Archive, The George Washington University. Retrieved on July 22, 2006. ^ Cockburn, Alexander; Jeffrey St. Clair (1998). Whiteout, the CIA, Drugs and the Press. New York: Verso. ISBN 1859842585. ^ Stokes, Doug (2005). America's Other War : Terrorizing Colombia. Zed Books. ISBN 1842775472. p. 99 ^ Colombia: Determination and Certification of Colombian Armed Forces with Respect to Human Rights-Related Conditions. HTML. U.S. Embassy in Colombia (May 1, 2002). Retrieved on June 23, 2006. ^ El Tiempo: The nation is sentenced to pay 2000 million pesos to the victims of the attack on Santo Domingo. HTML. International Labor Rights Fund (May 26, 2004). Retrieved on June 23, 2006. ^ Revista Semana: El senado norteamericano pone objeciones a la Brigada XVII por violaciones The War on Drugs is an initiative undertaken by the United States to carry out an "all-out offensive" (as President Nixon described it) against the prohibited use of certain legally controlled drugs. The Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress noted in a 1989 report that the nation's war on drugs could be considered to have started in public policy dating to November 1880, when the U.S. and China completed an agreement that prohibited the shipment of opium between the two countries. By February 1887, the 49th Congress enacted legislation making it a misdemeanor for anyone on American soil to be found guilty of violating this ban. It became officially the "war on drugs" in the 1930s, with the marijuana scare that banned possession and cultivation of cannabis (including hemp). The "War on Drugs" sought to cause a massive surge in cost for illicit mind-altering substances. It succeeded in this aim, from the perspective of mark-ups, in turn raising the market value of the trade in highly targeted drugs such as cocaine and heroin to over a trillion dollars. However, it failed in terms of retail prices in the long term. This has had several prominent sociological, economic and political effects. A case in point is the South American country of Colombia, which had developed a commodity market to manage its imports and exports by the late 1960s. The subsequent actions taken by the American government included dumping surplus corn and grain into the Colombian market below market prices, depressing domestic production. The following decades showed a substantial rise in demand for cocaine in America. A number of economically depressed Colombian farmers in several remote areas of the country began to turn to what became a new, illicit cash crop for its high resale value and cheap manufacturing process. Local coca cultivation, however, remained comparatively rare in Colombia until the mid-1990s. Drug traffickers originally imported most coca base from traditional producers in Peru and Bolivia for processing in Colombia, until eradication efforts in those countries resulted in a "balloon effect". No significant impact on retail or wholesale prices, UK Govt reportContents [hide] 1 History 2 United States policy 3 Environmental effects 4 References 5 See also 6 External links [edit] History Nixon's modern-day "War on Drugs" began in 1971. He characterized the abuse of illicit substances as "America's public enemy number one." This coincided with Colombia's depressed domestic market, providing a fertile ground for the exploitation of the American hunger for narcotics. Thus began the rise of a culture that is still romanticized in popular media; drug cartel groups and families including Pablo Escobar's reign over Medellin became the norm in areas where the drug trade was an important part of the local economy. The political implications of the "War on Drugs" are extensive and the impact of the program has been far-reaching. Furthermore, according to a report released in March 2006 by the Justice Policy Institute, commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance, America's "Drug-Free Zones" are ineffective at keeping youths away from drugs, and instead create strong racial disparities in the judicial system.[1] Around the turn of the 20th century, a perception of widespread abuse of cocaine caused policy-makers in the U.S. to consider drug abuse a serious social problem rather than as cases of personal failures. In 1988, towards the close of the Reagan Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was created to centrally coordinate legislative, security, diplomatic, research and health policy throughout the government. In recognition of his central role, the director of ONDCP is commonly known as the Drug Czar. Despite the Reagan Administration's high-profile public pronouncements, secretly, many senior officials of the Reagan administration illegally trained and armed the Nicaraguan Contras, which they funded by the shipment of large quantities of cocaine into the United States using U.S. government aircraft and U.S. military facilities.[2][3]. Funding for the Contras was also obtained through the illegal sale of weaponry to Iran. When this practice was discovered and condemned in the media, it was referred to as the Iran-Contra affair, but the large cocaine shipments into the US to fund the Admininstration's illegal foreign policy ageda were much less known. Another milestone occurred in 1996, when 56% of California voters voted yes to Proposition 215, legalizing the growing and use of marijuana for medical purposes. This created significant legal and policy tensions between the Federal and State governments. Courts have since decided that neither this, nor any similar acts, will protect users from federal prosecution. Regardless of public opinion, marijuana could be the single most targeted drug in the drug war. It constitutes almost half of all drug arrests, and between 1990-2002, out of the overall drug arrests, 82% of the increase was for marijuana. In this same time period, New York experienced an increase of 2,640% for marijuana possession arrests. [edit] United States policy Operation Mallorca, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2005 (US Department of Justice press release)For U.S. public policy purposes, drug abuse is any personal use of a drug contrary to law. The definition includes legal pharmaceuticals if they are obtained by illegal means or used for non-medicinal purposes. This differs from what mental health professionals classify as drug abuse per the DSM-IV, which is defined as more problematic drug misuse, both of which are different from drug use. Domestically the War On Drugs has helped to create the U. S. Prison industry, which takes care of the largest prison population on Earth — reaching a total of 2.2 million inmates in the U. S. in 2005. The United States has also initiated a number of military actions as part of its "War on Drugs", such as the 1989 invasion of Panama codenamed Operation Just Cause involving 25,000 United States troops. The U.S. alleged that Gen. Manuel Noriega, head of government of Panama, was involved in drug trafficking in (Panama). As part of Plan Colombia, the U.S. has funded coca eradication through private contractors such as DynCorp and helped train the Colombian armed forces to eradicate coca and fight left-wing guerrillas such as the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and right-wing paramilitaries such as the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia), both of which have been accused of participating in the illegal drug trade in their areas of influence. In 2000, the Clinton administration initially waived all but one of the human rights conditions attached to Plan Colombia, considering such aid as crucial to national security at the time.[4] Subsequently, the U.S. government certified that the Colombian government had taken steps to improve respect for human rights and to prosecute abusers among its security forces.[5] The U.S. has later denied aid to individual Colombian military units accused of such abuses, such as the Palanquero Air Force base and the Army's XVII Brigade.[6][7] Opponents of aid given to the Colombian military as part of the War on Drugs argue that the U.S. and Colombian governments primarily focus on fighting the guerrillas, devoting less attention to the paramilitaries although these have a greater degree of participation in the illicit drug industry. Critics argue that Human Rights Watch, congressional committees and other entities have documented the existence of connections between members of the Colombian military and the AUC, and that Colombian military personnel have committed human rights abuses which would make them ineligible for U.S. aid under current laws. [edit] Environmental effects Another initiative that has drawn criticism is the spraying of hundreds of thousands of acres of jungle and countryside with chemical herbicides, which opponents consider to have been harmful to the environment and to many living forms in the affected areas. It is alleged that this has been counterproductive, as farmers with few available alternatives and with damaged legal crops would have continued to turn to coca cultivation despite (or, in fact, because of) repeated eradication efforts. [edit] References This article or section does not cite its references or sources. You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. ^ How drug-free zone laws impact racial disparity–and fail to protect youth. Justice Policy Institute. Retrieved on July 27, 2006. ^ The Contras, Cocaine, and Covert Operations / Documentation of Official U.S. Knowledge of Drug Trafficking and the Contras. The National Security Archive, The George Washington University. Retrieved on July 22, 2006. ^ Cockburn, Alexander; Jeffrey St. Clair (1998). Whiteout, the CIA, Drugs and the Press. New York: Verso. ISBN 1859842585. ^ Stokes, Doug (2005). America's Other War : Terrorizing Colombia. Zed Books. ISBN 1842775472. p. 99 ^ Colombia: Determination and Certification of Colombian Armed Forces with Respect to Human Rights-Related Conditions. HTML. U.S. Embassy in Colombia (May 1, 2002). Retrieved on June 23, 2006. ^ El Tiempo: The nation is sentenced to pay 2000 million pesos to the victims of the attack on Santo Domingo. HTML. International Labor Rights Fund (May 26, 2004). Retrieved on June 23, 2006. ^ Revista Semana: El senado norteamericano pone objeciones a la Brigada XVII por violaciones Generic Name: sibutramine (oral) (sih BYOO tra meen) Brand Names: Meridia What is the most important information I should know about sibutramine? • Sibutramine has been reported to cause increased blood pressure in some patients. It is important to have your blood pressure and pulse monitored regularly while taking sibutramine. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sibutramine may cause dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or restlessness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. • Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor, especially weight-loss products, tryptophan (L-tryptophan, 5-HTP), decongestants, antidepressants, cough suppressants, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, others), and migraine medicines. What is sibutramine? • Sibutramine affects chemicals in the body that are related to weight maintenance. • Sibutramine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. • Sibutramine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sibutramine? • Do not take sibutramine without first talking to your doctor if you · have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; · are or have been depressed; · have bleeding problems; · have anorexia nervosa; · are taking an appetite suppressant; · have high blood pressure; · have heart disease, irregular heartbeats, congestive heart failure, or a history of stroke; · have epilepsy or another seizure disorder; · have gallstones; · have glaucoma; · have liver disease; or · have kidney disease. • You may not be able to take sibutramine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Sibutramine may interact with other medicines and cause a condition called Serotonin Syndrome. This syndrome requires immediate medical attention and may include one or more of the following symptoms: anxiety, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, weakness, tremor, poor coordination, fever, shivering, sweating, vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and others. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor, especially weight-loss products, tryptophan (L-tryptophan, 5-HTP), decongestants, antidepressants, cough suppressants, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, others), or migraine medicines. • Sibutramine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether sibutramine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take sibutramine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. • It is not known whether sibutramine passes into breast milk. Do not take sibutramine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. • The safety and effectiveness of sibutramine have not been studied in children younger than 16 years of age. How should I take sibutramine? • Take sibutramine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • Sibutramine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions. • Sibutramine can be taken with or without food. • Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much sibutramine could be dangerous. • Sibutramine has been reported to cause increased blood pressure in some patients. It is important to have your blood pressure and pulse monitored regularly while taking sibutramine. • Store sibutramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of a sibutramine overdose are not known. What should I avoid while taking sibutramine? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sibutramine may cause dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or restlessness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. • Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor, especially weight-loss products, tryptophan (L-tryptophan, 5-HTP), decongestants, antidepressants, cough suppressants, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, others), and migraine medicines. What are the possible side effects of sibutramine? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sibutramine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · easy bleeding, bruising under the skin , bloody gums, or blood in your urine or stool; · new or worsening shortness of breath; · an irregular heartbeat; · high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or · seizures. • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take sibutramine and talk to your doctor if you experience · restlessness or tremor, · nervousness or anxiety, · mild headache or dizziness, · insomnia, · dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, or · constipation. • Sibutramine may interact with other medicines and cause a condition called Serotonin Syndrome. This syndrome requires immediate medical attention and may include one or more of the following symptoms: anxiety, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, weakness, tremor, poor coordination, fever, shivering, sweating, vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and others. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor, especially weight-loss products, tryptophan (L-tryptophan, 5-HTP), decongestants, antidepressants, cough suppressants, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, others), or migraine medicines. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect sibutramine? • Do not take sibutramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as