Meridia
Weight Loss Pill FAQs
What is Meridia weight loss pill?
Meridia weight loss pill is an oral prescription medication
used to manage obesity. Meridia weight loss pill was intended
as an appetite suppressant that works by controlling centers
in the brain.
Why was Meridia weight loss pill
petitioned?
Public Citizen consumer advocacy group petitioned the FDA
for the immediate removal of Meridia weight loss pill from
the U.S. market in March 2002. Calling Meridia weight loss
pill "unacceptably dangerous" the group cited from
the FDA database 29 Meridia deaths and 397 adverse Meridia
side effects associated to the weight loss pill.
How many people have used Meridia
weight loss pill?
About 9 million people have used Meridia weight loss pill
since 1997.
What action
has been taken with Meridia weight loss pill?
Meridia weight loss pill was banned in the beginning of March
2002 by Italy's government after reports of 50 health related
problems. Since then a Europe-wide review of Meridia weight
loss pill has been launched. The FDA is currently reviewing
Public Citizen's petition before making any decisions regarding
the future use of Meridia weight loss pill in the U.S.
What Meridia side
effects have been associated to the weight loss pill?
Although primary pulmonary hypertension has not surfaced in
Meridia patients, the weight loss pill labeling does warn
that the condition can occur. The 29 U.S. Meridia deaths have
been mainly attributed to heart conditions.
When was Meridia weight loss pill
approved?
Meridia weight loss pill was approved in November 1997. The
FDA's own advisory committee had previously voted 5-4 against
the approval of Meridia weight loss pill because they did
not find Meridia's benefits to outweigh the risks. The FDA
medical officer that reviewed Meridia weight loss pill found
that there were potential heart problems that were associated
to the drug and did not support approving the weight loss
pill.
Why was Meridia weight loss pill
approved despite the advisory committee voting against it?
Meridia weight loss pill was still approved and was even identified
by the FDA as having only moderate success in weight management.
Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen, thinks that
Meridia weight loss pill "should have never been put
on the market- the advisory committee and the physician in
charge of the drug both recommended against approval."
Abbott Laboratories continues to stand by their weight loss
pill and thinks that despite the Meridia deaths worldwide
the product does not clearly indicate a link between Meridia
weight loss pill and the adverse side effects.
Is Meridia weight loss pill different
than the recalled drug Fen Phen?
Meridia weight loss pill is different from Fen Phen in that
it does not produce extra serotonin and is a serotonin reuptake
inhibitor. Abbott Laboratories, Meridia manufacturer, immediately
began their marketing strategy by trying to differentiate
Meridia weight loss pill from Fen Phen as much as possible.
Meridia was the first weight loss pill approved following
the Fen Phen disaster.
Do I have any rights regarding the
side effects I have suffered from Meridia weight loss pill?
Contact us and speak with a Meridia
lawyer.
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