Meridia Death and Side Effects
Update: Meridia Recall, October 8, 2010
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a recall of the diet drug Meridia after examining results from an international study that linked the obesity pill to heart problems and death. Abbott Laboratories issued a voluntary Meridia recall Oct. 8, 2010.
A Meridia Lawyer provides information on Meridia to alert weight loss patients of the serious risks associated with the recalled diet pill. If you are taking Meridia, stop using it and talk to your doctor about alternative weight loss plans.
If you or a loved one has suffered a heart problem while using Meridia, or if your loved one died from a cardiac death while taking the drug, you may qualify for compensation. Contact a Meridia diet pill lawyer for more information.
Background
Meridia (sibutramine) was approved to combat obesity that affects about 58 million Americans. Intended to enhance the brain's appetite regulating chemicals, Meridia weight loss pill was approved as a "moderately effective" drug that can increase blood pressure and pulse rate by the FDA in November 1997. While the FDA claimed the drug did not appear to pose the risk of heart valve damage, results from an international study, SCOUT, suggests people who use the diet drug are 16 percent more likely to suffer heart attack, stroke or cardiac death.
Public Citizen has been petitioning the FDA to remove Meridia from the market. The drug was banned in Italy and Europe.
Meridia Recall, Long Overdue: The Beginning
Public Citizen consumer group charged Meridia's manufacturer of illegally withholding Meridia data from regulators. The drug industry has been accused of capitalizing on dieting Americans despite the considerable risks that the diet drugs have posed. If you have experienced Meridia side effects and would like to learn about your legal rights contact a Meridia Lawyer to receive a free consultation.
Meridia Side Effects Outweigh Benefits
The FDA's advisory committee voted against the approval of Meridia weight loss drug because they did not feel Meridia's benefits outweighed its risks. Meridia was still approved against the advisory committee's conclusions one year later. The FDA approved Meridia knowing that there were serious risks involved some leading to Meridia death, and that the weight loss drug was only minimally effective. Click here to contact a Meridia Lawyer!
Patients lost an average of 6.5 lbs on Meridia after one year's use, but during the second year, most of the people regained some of that weight. When Meridia was discontinued people tended to gain back any of the weight they had lost. Meridia manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, claims having any weight loss while taking Meridia is saving lives because the risks of obesity are being reduced, however Sidney Wolfe of the Public Citizen consumer advocacy group thinks that there is not evidence present showing Meridia has prolonged any patient's life or reduced the risks of health complications associated to obesity. Wolfe finds that instead Meridia increases the risks for health complications.
Italy was the first to agree that Meridia risks outweigh its benefits and banned it from the market. Europe followed and banned the diet drug earlier this year.
The U.S. recall, issued Oct. 8, 2010, is long overdue. Millions of people have taken the dangerous drug and may at risk of heart problems. For more information or to discuss your circumstances, contact our dangerous drug lawyers today. Initial case evaluations are FREE.
If
you have experienced Meridia side effects and would like to learn
about your legal rights contact a Meridia Lawyer for a free consultation.
Public Citizen urges criminal charges be brought
against Meridia manufacturer
Abbott Laboratories.

What Are Meridia
Side Effects?
Risks of Meridia heart problems outweigh the benefits according
to the Public Citizen . . . read more
»
Meridia
News
OCTOBER 11, 2010
"Sibutramine Banned for Heart Risks"
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Abbott Laboratories announced a recall of diet pill Meridia, Oct. 8, 2010 due to heart risks. Health authorities in Taiwan, the European Union and Australia have also banned Meridia and all drugs containing sibutramine.
Fifteen drugs containing sibutramine, including Meridia, are involved in the Taiwan recall, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Some of the other drugs to contain sibutramine that are part of the recall in Taiwan include Reductil, Sytramee, Losfat, Moi-Allison, Sibutil, Shapedesign and Controkilo.
The active ingredient has been tied to some serious heart risks. In fact, a study that evaluated the long-term safety of the drug concluded that patients who use Meridia have a 16 percent higher risk of suffering fatal an d non-fatal side effects.
Contact us to talk to a Meridia diet drug lawyer.
Future of Diet Pills
Over one hundred billion dollars were spent last year on over-the-counter
diet aids in 2001 and had a 95% failure rate . . . read
more »
Meridia
Resources
Resource links for further education on the events and medical
implications surrounding Meridia.
Click
here to contact a Meridia Lawyer!
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