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Meridia Frequently Asked Questions...
What is Meridia Diet Drug?
Meridia diet drug is the brand name of the popular prescription
diet drug sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate, which is manufactured
by Abbott Laboratories. Meridia diet drug is administered
orally in capsules, and is the first serotonin reuptake inhibitor
used for the treatment of obesity.
How does Meridia Diet Drug work?
Meridia diet drug theoretically aids in weight loss by regulating
serotonin levels in the brain that control appetite. Where previous
diet drugs like Pondimin and Redux attempted to make patients
feel full by boosting serotonin levels, Meridia 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.
What are the side effects of Meridia Diet Drug?
Meridia patient information lists common side effects of the diet
drug such as dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia. Also listed
as possible Meridia side effects include: headache, increased
sweating, an increase in blood pressure, and an increased heart
rate. Accompanying Meridia patient information also warns patients
about primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare and occasionally
fatal disease. PPH causes high blood pressure in the lungs that
leads to shortness of breath, fatigue, dizzy spells, fainting,
and chest pain. Other symptoms of PPH include swelling of the
feet, ankles, or legs. Due to the rarity of the disease it is
difficult to know whether Meridia can cause PPH.
Cardiac valve dysfunction, or heart valve disease, is also a
suspected Meridia side effect risk. Heart valve disease causes
the valves in the heart to allow blood to flow backwards through
them. Most commonly reported Meridia side effects also include
dry mouth, anorexia, mental impairments, stroke, heart disease,
and seizures.
What is Public Citizen?
Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization
founded by Ralph Nader in 1971 to represent consumer interests
in Congress, the executive branch and the courts. They fight for
openness and democratic accountability in government, for the
right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe
and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice
in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental
protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription
drugs and health care.
Why is Public Citizen requesting the FDA to recall Meridia?
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.
What is the manufacturer's response to the petition to ban
Meridia?
Every year, an estimated 300,000 Americans die from obesity-related
illnesses costing the United States an estimated $117 billion
annually. With insurers increasingly willing to pay for preventative
treatments, pharmaceutical companies are under increasing pressure
to develop a new miracle weight-loss drug, which could potentially
generate an enormous profit. Abbott Laboratories dispute the validity
of the FDA's statistics that link patient deaths to Meridia, and
also argues that obese people are already at risk for heart problems
and high blood pressure. Spokespersons for Abbott have also stated
that possible side effects are clearly listed for doctors and
patients.
What is the FDA's response to the petition to ban Meridia?
The FDA is taking the petition by Public Citizen under consideration
and will determine if the benefits of Meridia outweigh the risks.
How do I report adverse Meridia Side Effects?
The FDA created the MedWatch Program to report serious drug interactions
and problems. Since Meridia has been linked to heart problems
that have resulted in injury and death, it is important to report
any and all adverse reactions to Meridia to the FDA. Reports can
be filed by requesting a reporting form from your doctor, or by
completing the online reporting form.
How do I contact a Meridia attorney?
It is important that you speak to a Meridia lawyer regarding your
legal rights if you have taken Meridia. Please contact us for
further information.
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