Meridia Comes Under FDA Scrutiny

The weight loss industry in the United States generates billions of dollars in revenue every year as Americans attempt to lose weight while not altering their busy lifestyles. While these products are offered in many different forms, one of the leading products offered via prescription for more than 10 years is known as Meridia. Meridia is a drug that’s manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, and it has been available in the United States since November of 1997. Unfortunately for many who have used it, Meridia has recently been linked to the development of several serious Meridia side effects. These links have recently drawn the scrutiny of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Below is an overview of this ongoing and developing issue.

Meridia Side Effects – How Meridia Works

Meridia hit the market in 1997 amid reports of a growing rate of obesity in the United States. This prescription pill is purported to allow people to lose weight in a seemingly effortless manner by simply following the instructions on the prescription and eating a healthier diet in accordance with plans that have been laid out by a user’s medical professionals. It is estimated that as many as 8 million people have used Meridia around the world, and that translates to billions of dollars in revenue for Abbott Laboratories.

Unfortunately, this massive growth in revenue has recently been met with reports of Meridia side effects, prompting action from Meridia side effects lawyers around the United States.

Meridia Side Effects – The Specifics

Over time, reports of Meridia side effects began to surface, and all of them appeared to be quite severe. Examples of these Meridia side effects include:

• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
• Cardiac valve damage and/or general dysfunction
• Heart valve disease
• Heart damage
• Heart attacks
• Death

Any or all of these Meridia side effects can be deadly for any patient, particularly one who has a history of heart problems, which are quite common in those patients who suffer from obesity.

Meridia Side Effects Cause FDA Warning

In response to the growing number of reports of the development of Meridia side effects, a study was launched and recently completed. It was known as Sibutramine Cardiovascular Morbidity/Mortality Outcomes in Overweight or Obese Subjects at Risk of a Cardiovascular Event (SCOUT), and it was a cooperative effort European medication authorities and Abbott Laboratories. This study looked at 10,000 patients, some of whom were given Meridia and others who were given a placebo. The results showed that those using Meridia showed a higher tendency to suffer from cardiovascular events.

In response to this study, the FDA has recently issued a Meridia Early Communication, which is basically an announcement that it is going to take a closer look at the drug and the potential for users to develop Meridia side effects. This analysis is going to be expedited in nature, as the FDA indicated that the potential danger is too great for it to take too long. Overall, an estimated 30 people have died either while or after using Meridia and hundreds more have been seriously injured by the Meridia side effects listed above.

If you or someone you love has suffered from Meridia side effects, you need to contact a Phoenix injury attorney at Phillips Law Group as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.

Phillips Law Group – Ph: 1-800-706-3000 .