Meridia, the brand name of sibutramine, is a medication classified as an anorexiant or appetite suppressant. This drug is no longer available on the United States market. Obese patients used the drug for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss. Meridia worked by blocking chemicals in the brain, including norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, to decrease appetite.
Restrictions
Meridia was listed as a schedule IV substance, meaning that there is a low abuse potential. Meridia was only recommended for obese patients who have a body mass index, or BMI, greater than 30. Patients with a BMI of at least 27 were also good candidates for treatment if they had other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, according to the "Drug Information Handbook." The prescribing physician had to rule out obesity due to hypothyroidism before starting Meridia to ensure proper use.
Effects on the Heart
Meridia causes a significant increase in the blood pressure and pulse rate, according to "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach." It was recommended that the patient's blood pressure be established before starting therapy and that the patient be monitored closely. Patients with a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and irregular heartbeats were not meant to use the drug.
SCOUT
The Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial, or SCOUT, was conducted in obese or overweight subjects who were also at an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The purpose was to determine if weight management with sibutramine would decrease the risk of these events. The data from SCOUT demonstrated a 16 percent increase in the risk of major cardiovascular events, according to the Food and Drug Administration. These events included non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, resuscitation after cardiac arrest and death. The FDA concluded that the risk for a cardiovascular event outweighed the benefits.
Withdrawal
On October 8, 2010, Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Meridia, voluntarily withdrew the medication from the United States market as the FDA had requested. Dr. John Jenkins, who is the director of the Office of New Drugs in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated that Meridia's continued availability is not justified when the very modest weight loss that individuals achieve on this drug is compared with their risk of heart attack or stroke.
Warning
Patients who are currently taking Meridia should discontinue the medication. Due to the dangers of Meridia, you should not continue the drug even if you have doses left. You should speak with a physician to discuss other options for weight loss or weight maintenance. The physician should assess your heart health. If you develop chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal heart rate or dizziness, seek medical attention right away.
References
- "Drug Information Handbook"; Charles F. Lacy, Lora L. Armstrong, et al.; 2009
- "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach"; Joseph T. Dipiro, Robert L. Talbert, et al.; 2008
- FDA: FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA Recommends Against the Continued Use of Meridia
- FDA: Abbott Laboratories Agrees to Withdraw Its Obesity Drug Meridia
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