Meridia Recall Issued Due to Stroke, Heart Attack Risk
Last Updated on June 26, 2017
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects
- Patients who have suffered serious Meridia side effects, such as heart attack or stroke.
- Damages
- Meridia has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, resuscitated cardiac arrest and death.
- Company(ies)
- Meridia is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.
- Additional Details
- Meridia is a prescription drug designed for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss in obese individuals.
- Date
- On October 8, 2010 the FDA issued a Meridia recall following a nearly year-long safety review of the prescription weight loss drug.
Abbott Laboratories issued a Meridia recall after the FDA asked the company to stop marketing the prescription weight loss drug. The recall decision was made after a study indicated an increased risk of stroke and heart attack in users. FDA officials stated that the drug’s little weight loss benefits, along with the serious side effects, justified the market withdrawal.
Links to Heart Issues
A research study, known as SCOUT (Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcome Trial), found a 16% increase in the risk of heart attack, stroke, resuscitated cardiac arrest or death in patients taking Meridia. The study also showed a small difference in the weight loss of patients taking Meridia and those receiving the placebo. Meridia was originally approved in 1997 as a weight loss and weight maintenance drug in obese people and overweight individuals with risk factors for heart disease. It gained approval based on research which indicated that more patients taking the drug lost at least 5% of their body weight than those in the placebo group who were put on a diet and exercise regimen. The post marketing study, which was performed on obese people aged 55 and older with a history of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, intended to show that Meridia use lessened a patient’s chances of developing heart problems. Rather, the results indicated that patients taking the drug actually had an increased risk of developing cardiovascular side effects.
Pursuing a Lawsuit
Due to the recall, users who suffered a heart attack or stroke may be able to pursue a Meridia lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories. Meridia users who suffered cardiovascular side effects of the drug may be entitled to collect financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
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