Meridia

DESCRIPTION: Meridia, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, is an oral prescription medication used for the medical management of obesity, including weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss. This medication comes in three different strength capsules -- 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg. The recommended initial starting dose of Meridia is one 10 mg capsule per day. Meridia works by affecting appetite control centers in the brain.

On March 19, 2002, the non-profit consumer rights organization Public Citizen petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately ban the diet drug Meridia. Meridia, also known as sibutramine, has been associated with 29 deaths and hundreds of adverse reactions since it was introduced in 1998. Earlier in March, the Italian government took the drug off the market after two deaths in that country were associated with its use. Other European governments are currently reviewing the drug due to the large number of reported, serious adverse reactions of people taking the drug. To date, however, Meridia is still available for prescription in the U.S.

Meridia was first introduced to the U.S. market in February 1998. Between February 1998 and September 30, 2001, the FDA received 397 reports of serious adverse reactions in patients taking Meridia, including 29 deaths, 19 of which were due to cardiovascular problems. Another 152 patients were hospitalized due to serious adverse reactions to the drug.

The FDA had concerns about the drug even before it was approved. An FDA advisory committee in 1997 voted 5-4 that the benefits of Meridia did not outweigh the risks. The FDA's concerns were based on evidence that Meridia can significantly increase high blood pressure and heart rate in people taking the drug. Conditions that may be associated with Meridia are as follows:
 

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Last modified: 10/08/02