The Chemistry Of The Anti-Obesity Drug Meridia
Marketed under
the generic name of Sibutramine Hydrochloride
Monohydrate, and its commercial name of Meridia,
the drug is particularly prescribed for populations
suffering from problems of obesity or being
over-weight.
A brief insight into the chemistry
of the drug Meridia reveals that it contains
the active agents of racemic mixture of the
positive and negative elements of enantiomers
of cyclobutanemethanamine 1-(4- chlorophenyl)-N
, N - dimethyl - alfa - (2-methylpropyl)-, hydrochloride,
monohydrate, and has an empirical formula of
C17H 29Cl 2NO.
In addition, the molecular weight
of Meridia is 334.33. In appearance, Subutramine
Hydrochloride monohydrate or Meridia is a white
to cream colored crystalline powder with a soluble
factor of 2.9mg/mL in pH 5.2 water. The Octagonal
water partition co-efficient is 30.9 at pH 5.0.
It also contains as inactive ingredients:
lactose monohydrate NF; microcrystalline cellulose
NF; colloidal silicon dioxide NF; and magnesium
stearate NF in a hard gelatin capsule, which
contains titanium dioxide USP; gelatin FD&C
Blue No.2 (5 and 10 mg capsules only); D&C
Yellow No.10 (5 and 15 mg capsules only) and
other inactive ingredients.
As for the different formulations
in which Meridia is available in the market
for its consumers, one may note that Meridia
can be purchased in either of its 5mg, 10mg,
or 15mg formulations.
The FDA classification for Meridia reveals that it is categorized in the group
of drugs falling in "Schedule IV"
controlled substance, thus implying that there
exists possibilities of a low abuse when taken
this drug. Furthermore, the same classifications
also show that the drug has a potential or likelihood
of addiction or physical dependence on the drug. |
