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Meridia
Meridia: Diet Drug Associated With Stroke, Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest
Meridia, a diet drug also known generically as sibutramine hydrochloride, has been associated with increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrest, and other serious cardiovascular problems. The Abbott Laboratories drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997 for use along with reduced-calorie diets to treat obese patients who have other risk factors, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
Higher Risks of Cardiovascular Damage
However, recent studies have found people taking Meridia experienced a higher number of cardiovascular events compared to others not on the drug. Those findings prompted the FDA to order stronger warnings to be added to Meridia’s labeling and one prominent consumers’ rights group to call for Meridia to be banned due to the health risks.
Meanwhile, European drug safety officials said the drug sibutramine, which is sold under various brand names overseas, should be banned.
FDA Adds Warnings to Meridia Label
In January 2010, the FDA ordered Meridia’s labeling, which already included warnings against using the drug in patients with cardiovascular disease, to carry the following counter-indications:
- History of coronary artery disease (such as heart attack or angina)
- History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- History of heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- History of congestive heart failure
- History of peripheral arterial disease
- Uncontrolled hypertension (higher than 145/90 mmHg)
Our law firm is available 24/7 to answer any Meridia questions you may have. Contact us today for a free, no obligation, legal consultation on your Meridia claim by completing the case evaluation form on the right side of this page or by calling 1-800-WE-FIGHT (1-800-933-4448).
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