Meridia Information

    Meridia, the popular weight-loss drug approved by the FDA in
1997, has come under considerable scrutiny in recent days due to
its deadly side effects. Generically known as sibutramine, Meridia
was the first diet drug approved following the FDA’s ban on Fen-
Phen, and Redux. Abbott Laboratories, the chief marketing
company for Meridia, estimates that 9 million people have taken the
diet drug since its approval. However, some consumer safety
groups feel the 1997 approval of Meridia was a major mistake.

    According to a leading watchdog group, the Public Citizen,
Meridia has been associated with 29 deaths and 397 serious
adverse events since 1998. These Meridia side effects include
heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, high blood pressure, dilated
cardiomyopathy, seizures, stroke and death. These complications
were discovered by the Public Citizen in documents submitted by
Abbott Laboratories to the FDA and health care managers.

    Presently, the FDA is evaluating the reported Meridia-related
deaths and injuries in the United States and abroad. On March 7,
2002, Italy suspended the marketing of Meridia due to the adverse
health effects, including two deaths and 50 adverse events. On
March 15, 2002, Great Britain’s Department of Health linked Meridia
(known as Reductil in Europe) to 2 deaths and over 200 adverse
events.

    Meridia is a prescription drug taken daily for the medical
management of obesity, weight loss, and the maintenance of
weight loss. Meridia is marketed in 70 countries worldwide, and
Abbott estimates about 2 million people in the United States
currently take the drug.