The weight loss drug Meridia (Sibutramine) has been associated with serious side effects including heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.
The safety concerns surrounding Meridia are so severe that the drug has been suspended from the market in England and the European Union. The drug may soon be banned in the United States as well. Last year, the FDA reviewed 17 deaths which occurred between 2002 and 2009 and found that the use of Meridia may have been a contributing cause. The study noted that even young people with no known risk factors other than obesity had died after taking the drug.
In January 2010, the FDA found additional evidence that patients with a history of cardiovascular disease who took Meridia increased their risk of heart attack and stroke. The FDA findings led to the contraindication of Meridia in patients with a history of arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, or stroke. The FDA has planned an advisory meeting for later this year to discuss the benefits and risks of the drug to determine whether further action should be taken, such as removing the drug from the market.
If you or a family member have taken Meridia and experienced an adverse reaction, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries and suffering. Please
contact one of our Meridia attorneys for a free and confidential case evaluation.