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Abbott Laboratories announced a recall of Meridia, Oct. 8, 2010, due to life-threatening heart risks. The decision to recall the drug was based on findings that the health risks outweighed the potential benefits. The diet drug has been linked to serious side effects including cardiac death, stroke and heart attack.
Typical Meridia side effects include the following:
- headache
- insomnia
- dry mouth
- anorexia
- constipation
Also reported as side effects from the Meridia diet drug include:
- stroke
- seizures
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- heart disease
- mental impairments
- increased perspiration
The effectiveness of Meridia as a diet drug has also been questioned.
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.
"Not only does this drug contribute to major cardiovascular
problems, but its effectiveness in lowering obesity is meager."
Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's
Health Research Group.
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