Meridia Side Effects Experts provides information about Meridia diet pill, meridia side effects, lawsuit and diet drug litigation. Contact a Meridia Lawyer for your legal rights!!

Meridia Diet Pill FAQs What is Meridia Diet Pill? Meridia is the brand name of the popular prescription diet pill sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate, which is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.  Meridia diet pill is administered orally in capsules, and is the first serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of obesity. How does Meridia diet pill work? Meridia diet pill theoretically aids in weight loss by regulating serotonin levels in the brain that control appetite.  Where previous diet pills like Pondimin and Redux attempted to make patients feel full by boosting serotonin levels, Meridia diet pill conversely slows the depletion of serotonin produced by the brain.  Pondomin and Redux were part of the drug combination known at large as Fen-Phen, and were recalled in 1997 for causing heart valve damage.    What is Public Citizen? Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts. They fight for openness and democratic accountability in government, for the right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care.  Why is Public Citizen requesting the FDA to recall Meridia diet pill? Despite the FDA’s approval, there have been hundreds of serious Meridia side effects reported to the FDA, including 29 deaths. Prior to approval, when asked if the benefits of sibutramine outweighed the risks, the FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 5 to 4 against Meridia’s approval.  Since 1996, the Health Research Group of Public Citizen has petitioned for the removal of four other drugs previously approved by the FDA.  Three of the drugs are now banned, and the fourth is severely restricted.  Public Citizen finds Meridia diet pill to be both ineffective and unsafe. What is the manufacturer’s response to the petition to ban Meridia diet pill? Every year, an estimated 300,000 Americans die from obesity-related illnesses costing the United States an estimated $117 billion annually. With insurers increasingly willing to pay for preventative treatments, pharmaceutical companies are under increasing pressure to develop a new miracle weight-loss drug, which could potentially generate an enormous profit.  Abbott Laboratories dispute the validity of the FDA’s statistics that link patient deaths to Meridia diet pill, and also argues that obese people are already at risk for heart problems and high blood pressure.  Spokespersons for Abbot have also stated that possible side effects are clearly listed for doctors and patients. What is the FDA’s response to the petition to ban Meridia diet pill? The FDA is taking the petition by Public Citizen under consideration and will determine if the benefits of Meridia diet pill outweigh the risks.   How do I report adverse Meridia Side Effects? The FDA created the MedWatch Program to report serious drug interactions and problems.  Since Meridia has been linked to heart problems that have resulted in injury and death, it is important to report any and all adverse reactions to Meridia to the FDA.  Reports can be filed by requesting a reporting form from your doctor, or by completing the online reporting form. What are my legal rights if I have taken Meridia diet pill? If you have taken Meridia diet pill and have suffered from adverse health side effects, please contact a Meridia Lawyer. What legal claims could I file? The Majority of cases involving a prescription drug, like Meridia, that had dangerous undisclosed side effects, will claim for negligence.  Other claims could also include strict liability for a defective product, a breach of express warranty, or a breach of implied warranty and unjust enrichment.  To consult with an expert Meridian attorney, contact us. Have there been any claims filed against the manufacturers of Meridia?  The first lawsuit on the behalf of a Meridia diet drug patient was filed in March 2001, naming Abbot Laboratories, BASF AG, BASF Corporation, and Knoll Pharmaceutical Company as defendants.  Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, a unit of BASF, originally manufactured Meridia.  The lawsuit also alleges that Abbott failed to provide adequate warnings to physicians, the medical community, and patients regarding Meridia.  In June 2001, more lawsuits were filed against the manufacturers of Meridia, including class action lawsuits. How do I contact a Meridia attorney? It is important that you speak to a Meridia lawyer regarding your legal rights if you have taken Meridia.  Please contact us for further information.