Meridia
Do not discontinue taking any medications without first consulting your physician.
Meridia ® was approved as a weight-loss drug for patients who were seriously obese.
It was to be used with strict monitoring by a physician. The active ingredient in
Meridia® was sibutramine, an amphetamine-based stimulant that curbs hunger pangs.
Amphetamines artificially stimulate the central nervous system, which can cause
abnormally high blood pressure and erratic pulse rates.
The complications associated with Meridia® may be indicated by the following symptoms:
- Increased blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Cardiac arrest or failure
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, and body
- Severe headaches
- Seizures
- Skin rash
While the drug has been recalled in Europe, it is still under review by the FDA
in the United States. The FDA issued a warning to Meridia®’s manufacturer, Abbott
Laboratories, stating that the drug’s labeling was misleading and inadequate. According
to medical studies, the average weight loss experienced by Meridia® users is only
negligibly greater than that experienced by users of other weight-loss medications
with the same indications. This finding created controversy over whether the benefits
of the drug outweighed its potentially deadly side effects.
If you or a loved one suffered complications after taking Meridia® , contact a John
Bales drug injury lawyer today. Complete a FREE Online Consultation Form
or call us toll free 1-800-CALL JOHN (1-800-225-5564) 24 hours,
7 days a week.
Do not discontinue taking any medications without first consulting your physician.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute
medical advice and should not be viewed as such. For medical advice, you should
always consult with your physician.
Meridia® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories. The reference to the
registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories is used here only for the purpose of
identifying the product in question.
This law firm is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with Abbott Laboratories,
the FDA, or the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.