Meridia was approved in 1997 for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss in obese people. The drug was manufactured and marketed by Abbott Laboratories until October of 2010 when it was withdrawn from the market. Meridia went by several different names including Sibutramine, Reductil, and Sibutrex.

FDA Alerts

In October of 2010, the FDA issued a safety announcement “recommending against the continued prescribing and use of Meridia because [the] drug may pose unnecessary cardiovascular risks to patients.” After this safety announcement was made, Abbott Laboratories voluntarily stopped marketing Meridia in the U.S., and the issue was well reported by popular media outlets.

Possible Risks of Taking Meridia

The Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial (“SCOUT”) demonstrated the use of Meridia may pose serious cardiovascular risks to patients. These risks include:

• Non-fatal heart attacks
• Non-fatal strokes
• Resuscitation after cardiac arrest
• Cardiovascular death

If you are taking Meridia, the FDA recommends you stop immediately and talk to your healthcare professional about alternative weight loss and weight loss management programs. If you have developed cardiovascular problems after taking Meridia, an experienced attorney can help determine whether you have a case, and can assist in getting you the proper medical treatment.

Lawsuits

There have been numerous lawsuits filed against Abbott Laboratories, the creator and marketer of Meridia, since 2002. Many of these lawsuits were based on the theory of product liability. Under this legal theory, the plaintiffs alleged that Abbott Laboratories knew or should have known about the potential dangers of Meridia and failed to adequately warn the public. In other words, those prescribed Meridia were prevented from making properly informed decisions regarding whether to take the drug because the potential risks were not properly disclosed. Many early lawsuits had problems with proving a link between cardiovascular health problems and taking the drug. However, recent health study provides some evidence there may be a link between taking Meridia and cardiovascular problems, which may provide the causation evidence needed for more Meridia based claims to be successful.

Drug Manufacturers Duty to Warn of Safety Risks Under Product Liability Laws

While all medications have certain anticipated side effects, a drug manufacturer has a duty to inform physicians adequately regarding the known risks associated with its drugs. If a manufacturer fails to do so, it can be held responsible to patients who are injured as the result of inadequate warnings under a legal theory known as "product liability."

If you or a loved one has experienced any health problems from taking Meridia including heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular problems, or death, you should seek immediate medical counsel to discuss the emerging information on Meridia. You also have legal rights and should contact a qualified Meridia lawyer as provided on this site to discuss your litigation options. All claims are subject to time limits and you may risk forfeiture of your right to financial compensation if you delay in filing a claim. Please call today to arrange for an initial consultation.