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.