Meridia Weight Loss Pills Attorneys Handling claims for consumers and victims nationwide...

Meridia Weight Loss Pill...

Since being introduced to the U.S. Market in 1998 by Abbott Laboratories, Meridia weight loss pill has seen its popularity skyrocket. Within a year, Meridia's manufacturers, Abbott Laboratories, saw its new weight loss pill prescribed nearly 2 million times. Global sales of the Meridia diet pill approached $200 million last year. Based on sales figures, it would appear that Meridia is a successful diet drug. However, recent events have cast substantial shadows on both the effectiveness of Meridia, and more significantly, on the safety of Meridia weight loss pill.

On March 8, 2002 the Italian Health Ministry suspended the sales of Meridia (which is marketed as Reductil overseas) after receiving 50 reports of adverse reactions to the diet drug, including 2 deaths. The suspension of the Meridia diet drug in Italy has other nation's regulatory bodies, expressing concern about Meridia. On March 19, 2002, the consumer advocacy group Pubic Citizen filed a petition with the FDA requesting a Meridia recall. In the petition, Public Citizen described the diet drug as "unacceptably dangerous," citing the 397 serious adverse reactions reported to the FDA, including 152 hospitalizations, and 29 patient deaths. By early June, five users of the diet drug have filed suit against Abbott Laboratories over alleged Meridia side effects including heart problems.

If you, a family member, or loved one has taken Meridia, please contact us regarding your legal rights.

Meridia News Video

Meridia Deaths and Adverse Side Effects

According to FDA reports, from February 1998 to September 2001, a high number of very serious Meridia side effects were reported, including a high number of cardiovascular events. Meridia side effects were serious enough to hospitalize 152 people, result in 29 deaths, and 143 arrhythmia reports.

How does Meridia work?

Meridia theoretically aids in weight loss by regulating serotonin levels in the brain that control appetite. Where previous weight loss pills like Pondimin and Redux attempted to make patients feel full by boosting serotonin levels, Meridia weight loss pill conversely slows the depletion of serotonin produced by the brain. Pondomin and Redux were part of the drug combination known at large as Fen-Phen, and were recalled in 1997 for causing heart valve damage.

Public Citizen petitions the FDA to recall Meridia- March 19, 2002

Despite the FDA's approval, there have been hundreds of serious Meridia side effects reported to the FDA, including 29 deaths. Prior to approval, when asked if the benefits of sibutramine outweighed the risks, the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 5 to 4 against Meridia's approval. Since 1996, the Health Research Group of Public Citizen has petitioned for the removal of four other drugs previously approved by the FDA. Three of the drugs are now banned, and the fourth is severely restricted. Public Citizen finds Meridia to be both ineffective and unsafe.

View the entire Public Citizen petition.

Meridia Risky & Ineffective?

The effectiveness of Meridia as a weight loss pill has also been a concern in addition to its safety. When the FDA approved Meridia in November 1997, it stated that the average weight loss in Meridia patients over the course of one year was only 6 1/2 pounds over the placebo group.