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Meridia is just one of two weight-loss drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but some experts have questioned the drug''s effectiveness. Although the formula of improved diet and exercise is a known way to achieve weight loss, some obesity experts say that alone is not enough for some overweight Americans to reach their optimal weight loss goals.

America''s waistlines continue to grow, and the battle of obesity has become an extremely pertinent topic considering the increased mortality and health effects associated to obesity. According to Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of the Obesity and Eating Disorders Program and the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, weight loss pills should not be used as the sole means of weight loss.

A new study finds that Meridia is the most effective when combined with eating healthy and exercising. Yanovski is the author of a commentary on the Meridia study published in the Nov. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine , and she said combining lifestyle modifications with Meridia use would allow twice as much weight loss compared with just taking the drug.

Another weight loss drug called rimonabant is currently undergoing FDA review, but before hoping for a miracle drug, overweight Americans should be encouraged by the latest weight loss study. Weight loss drugs, like Meridia, while having minimal weight loss effects when taken alone, according to some critics, when combined with healthy lifestyle changes it allowed study participants to double the amount of weight lost compared to those taking the drug alone.

Yanovski said the weight loss drugs showed “modest weight loss compared with placebo, usually in the range of five to 15 pounds additional weight loss,” but this study was able to show the drug''s ability to propel results when paired with positive lifestyle adjustments. Patients who experienced the greatest weight loss took Meridia in addition to keeping food diaries and got the most counseling from their physicians or nurse practitioners compared to an average weight loss of just 11 pounds when patients only took Meridia.

The toughest challenge is to keep the weight off, but weight loss drugs like Meridia taken on a long-term basis can cause increased pulse rates and blood pressure in about 10 percent of users. Because of the Meridia side effects, should further evidence support taking the drug on a long-term basis when compared to the dangers of obesity, doctors might need to require close monitoring in addition to other medications.

On average, the group that kept food diaries and changed their eating habits by making note of their daily consumption lost an average of 27 pounds. The study, while encouraging, is also disputed. Since May 2002, consumer watchdog group Public Citizen has been trying to get the FDA to ban Meridia because of the number of side effects, including death, that have occurred among Meridia users.

Various Meridia related personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have been filed since the drug has been on the market.