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 Meridia,
or sibutramine, is a prescription
anti-obesity and weight loss drug
that works to control appetite by inhibiting the body's
ability to reabsorb serotonin and norepinephrine.
Meridia, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, was approved
in 1997 with the FDA noting that it was only "moderately
effective" at helping seriously obese patients lose weight.
Data at the time indicated that patients taking Meridia
only lost seven to 11 pounds more than patients who were
just dieting.
On March 19, 2002, Public Citizen, a consumer advocate
group, petitioned the FDA to recall Meridia due to the
deaths of approximately 32 people who died while
taking the drug. The FDA is currently taking the petition
under advisement.
Adverse side effects of Meridia
include: Increased blood pressure; irregular heartbeat;
depression; cardio vascular events; swelling of the feet,
ankles, or body; aches; chills; dry mouth; constipation;
insomnia; bruising; seizures; severe headache; skin rash.
There is also a long and dangerous list of contraindications
for taking Meridia. In addition to concern about its moderate
effectiveness and the high incidence of adverse reactions
and death, the FDA also cautioned that anyone with hypertension
(high blood pressure), heart disease, an irregular heartbeat,
and anyone who survived a stroke, should not take Meridia.
Patients should also not take Meridia if they are currently
taking an MAO inhibitor for depression or Parkinson's
disease; if they are taking other weight loss drugs that
affect the brain, including phentermine; if they have
had an allergic reaction to Meridia; have kidney or liver
disease; have had a stroke, are pregnant or nursing; are
taking medication for depression, including Paxil, Zoloft,
Prozac, or Zyban; have had seizures; are under 16 years
of age; or suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma
If you or someone you know has suffered injuries while
taking the Meridia weight loss drug, please call our Meridia
lawyers for a
to determine if you might have a Meridia claim, or send
us an instant e-mail and
we will respond within 24 hours.
Disclaimer:
Colorado Meridia Side Effects Attorney Disclaimer: Denver
and Breckenridge pharmaceutical litigation and/or other
legal information offered herein by Gempeler Trial Lawyers
is not formal legal advice, nor the formation of an attorney
client relationship. Each case is different and the outcome
of your personal injury case will depend on the merits
of your factual situation and applicable law. An Attorney-Client
relationship is not created by visiting this web site.
No Attorney-Client relationship is created until a retainer
agreement is signed. |
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