Meridia side effects can be both serious and deadly. In Meridia’s side effects information warns patients about primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), which is a rare and sometimes fatal disease. PPH causes high blood pressure in the lungs that leads to a feeling of constant breathlessness with minimal exertion, fatigue, dizzy spells, fainting, and chest pain, and there is no known cause of PPH. Cardiac valve dysfunction, or heart valve disease may also be a Meridia side effects risk. Heart valve disease causes the valves in the heart to allow blood flow backwards through them. The most common Meridia side effects include, headache, dry mouth, anorexia, constipation, and insomnia.

Other Meridia side effects may include:

• increase in blood pressure
• increase in heart rate
• mental impairments
• heart disease
• stroke
• seizures
• increased sweating

Sold worldwide, Meridia is on the market in 70 countries and has been used by 8.5 million people worldwide. The FDA has been asked to ban the diet drug Meridia, or sibutramine, and to withdraw its approval to the drug due to the 29 deaths and hundreds of serious Meridia side effects attributed to it by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. Manufacturer Abbott Laboratories has admitted at least 32 Meridia patients have died from side effects while taking the weight loss drug, but is quick to show that around 9 million people have used the drug in the last five years, making the death rate very small. The director of Pubic Citizen Health Research Group, Sidney Wolfe, says FDA documents link Meridia weight loss pill to almost 400 serious and bad side effects from February 1998- September 2001.

Italy suspended the sale of weight loss pills containing sibutramine after two cardiovascular deaths and 50 reports of health related problems were made, sparking a safety review throughout other European countries. Italy was the first country to react to the drug’s potential side effect since the 1997 approval. Two deaths in Britain, and a total of 103 serious adverse Meridia side effects in France and Great Britain only supported the decision to launch a Europe-wide review.

Last December, Britain’s Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin that is published by the Consumers’ Association, had warned the drug had limited benefits and unwanted side effects, including raised heart rates and blood pressure. The bulletin also noted sibutramine should not be taken with patients who have coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure.

Health Canada has launched an investigation due to the 28 adverse Meridia side effects that have been reported. Some of the adverse Meridia side effects include, increased blood pressure, chest pain, vision problems, and strokes. Health Canada is now reviewing their national and international safety information regarding Meridia. The information they find after the Meridia review will influence the decision they make.

Cardiovascular Deaths
Major cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) was one of the major health side effects linked to the previously recalled diet drug fen phen.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) Common Symptoms Include:

- Shortness of breath

- Chest pain

- Weakness

- New Heart Murmur

- Fatigue

- Fainting

- Tiredness

- Death

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a serious and potentially life threatening cardiovascular condition that is not curable. PPH causes high blood pressure in the lungs that leads to a feeling of constant breathlessness with minimal exertion, fatigue, dizzy spells, fainting, and chest pain.

Interesting Facts

- In 1997, prior to FDA approval, an FDA advisory committee voted 5-4 that the benefits of Meridia weight loss pill did not outweigh the risks for potential side effects and heart problems.

- Public Citizen obtained data through a Freedom of Information Act request that shows after Meridia was introduced in February 1998-September 30, 2001, there were almost 400 serious adverse side effects in Meridia patients. Nineteen of these reported side effects were cardiac deaths, with 10 in people under the age of 50 and three in women under 30.

- The average weight loss during one year on a standard dose of Meridia was only 6.5 pounds more than individuals taking a placebo.

- According to Abbott Laboratories, Meridia is sold in 70 countries and has been used by 8.5 million people worldwide.

- In the U.S., there have been 29 deaths linked to the side effects of Meridia.