Meridia

The US Food and Drug Administration announced on October 8, 2010, that Abbott Laboratories voluntarily agreed to take its obesity drug Meridia off the market, because clinical studies showed that there was an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in users of the drug. 

In a study known as SCOUT or Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial, there was a 16% increase in the risk of serious heart events, such as heart attacks, stroke and death in a group of people given Merida (sibutramine) as compared to a placebo. 

"In all its investigation of the drug, the FDA could find not one person whose benefit from the drug outweighed its risk," said Dr. Gerald Dal Pan, director of the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The original 1997 information showed that people who were on Meridia lost 5 percent more of their body weight than people who were on a placebo.  Both groups followed a regimen of diet and exercise along with Meridia or the placebo.

Prior to the withdrawal of the drug, 8 million people worldwide, including over 100,000 Americans, had taken Meridia.  In the US alone, Abbott had projected sales of $30 million for 2010.

Ward Black Law is investigating cases of heart attack or stroke due to the use of Meridia.  If you or a loved one has had a stroke or heart attack due while using Meridia, please give our office for a free consultation at 1-800-531-9191 or email us.

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