In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved Meridia, a weight-loss drug, despite evidence of significantly increased blood pressure and heart rate and despite the opposition of the FDA medical officer who reviewed the drug and the FDA’s advisory committee.
In 2002, Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, petition to the FDA to ban the drug based on this information and a growing number of post-marketing cases of heart attacks with no other explanation in relatively young patients.
Since then, more than three million prescriptions have been filled for Meridia.
The FDA’s decision on Oct. 8 to ask pharmaceutical maker Abbott to withdraw the drug is commendable, says Public Citizen, but too late for the victims of its unacceptable risks.
If you currently take Meridia, the FDA recommends you should:
- Stop taking Meridia and talk to your healthcare professional about alternative weight loss and weight loss management programs.
- Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about Meridia.
- Contact your healthcare professional right away if you experience pain in the chest, heart palpitations, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, or other symptoms including dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Dispose of unused Meridia in your household trash by following the recommendations outlined in the Federal Drug Disposal Guidelines: (1) Take your Meridia out of its original container and mix it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. (2) Put the medication in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent it from breaking out of a garbage bag.
- Report any side effects with Meridia to FDA’s MedWatch program at 800-332-1088 or 800-FDA-0178 (Fax); at MedWatch Online; or by mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
To read Public Citizen’s testimony on Meridia, click here.
