The weight-loss drug Meridia is the next drug to come under scrutiny by the FDA, which is closing in on issuing a health advisory due to the controversial methods of safety monitoring of the drug.
Plans are underway for the FDA to issue an advisory that would result in either a stricter warning, restriction of its use or at the very least updated prescription guidelines. Actions such as these, and the recent decision by the FDA to place a more stringent warning on Crestor, are happening at a time when criticism among consumer groups over lack of drug regulation by the FDA are running high.
Nearly three years have passed since the consumer group Public Citizen petitioned the U.S. government to remove Meridia from market shelves alleging that it was responsible for causing dozens of deaths and over 400 adverse patient reactions since it was introduced seven years ago.
A lax attitude remains among the overseas regulators who support keeping the drug on the market and among the U.S. court system that dismissed several suits that were filed against the drug's maker.
Criticisms of Meridia, which was acquired by Abbott in 2001, surround their marketing tactics of promoting limited weight loss in exchange for an increase in blood pressure particularly among the obese patients, the very candidates most likely to take the drug.
The recent Meridia safety issues resulted in confusion among both doctors and patients. Some patients are abandoning the drug altogether while certain doctors have taken a stronger precautionary approach when prescribing it.
Proposed Steps by the FDA
The FDA stated they were in the process of communicating information on its post-market surveillance of the drug as a way to diffuse controversial issues.
They also reported they would wait to review the most recent data on adverse effects of the drug before formulating a response back to the Public Citizen's petition.
Abbott Stands by its Product
Despite the controversy surrounding Meridia, Abbott continues to back its safety and claimed they were unaware of any pending advisory by the FDA.
A spokeswoman from Abott explained that the reasons why people stopped taking the drug were due to lack of insurance coverage for obesity medications.
Meridia sales have remained flat over the last two years in the United States, however have shown growth outside of the United States.
KansasCity.com March 31, 2005
The weight-loss drug Meridia is in the hot seat and has caught the attention of the FDA, which is looking into placing a tougher advisory on the drug.
Meridia could be added to the already extensive list Dr. David Graham has shed light upon and blown the whistle on such as:
Why would you take the risk of increasing your blood pressure by taking this dangerous weight-loss drug when there are much healthier alternatives?
If you still aren't convinced of the dangers of Meridia because you don't have high blood pressure yet, I thought you might enjoy a listing of the many other side effects associated with taking this drug.
More common side effects may include: Abdominal pain, acid indigestion, anxiety, back pain, constipation, cough increase, depression, dizziness, dry mouth, flu symptoms, headache, increased appetite, insomnia, joint pain, loss of appetite, loss of strength, nasal inflammation, nausea, nervousness, painful menstruation, rash, sinus inflammation, stomachache, sore throat. Less common side effects may include: Acne, abnormal thinking, agitation, allergic reaction, arthritis, bronchitis, changes in taste, chest pain, dental problems, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, ear pain, ear problems, emotional changes, fever, gas, heavy uterine bleeding, herpes simplex virus, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, itching, laryngitis, leg cramps, menstrual problems, migraine headache, muscle ache, neck pain, rectal problems, reduced vision, stimulation, stomach and intestinal inflammation, sweating, swelling, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, tingling skin sensation, urinary tract infection, vaginal yeast infection, vomiting. Rare side effects may include: Bleeding problems, kidney problems, and seizures.
Weight loss can be a challenge, however rather than putting your health at stake why not put yourself on the road to optimal health by making a few lifestyle changes? By following the below guidelines you will not only achieve your ideal weight but will learn how to maintain and develop a positive sense of self-worth for life.
Guidelines to Achieving Optimal Weight and Wellness
Reduce (with the idea of eventually eliminating) your intake of grains and sugars. The body's storage capacity for carbohydrates is quite limited, so when you eat an excess of grains and sugars they are converted, via insulin, into fat.
In addition, grains and sugars suppress your immune system, contributing to allergies, and they are responsible for a host of digestive disorders. They contribute to depression, and their excess consumption is, in fact, associated with many of the chronic diseases in our nation, such as cancer and diabetes.
Begin to modify your diet according to your body's unique metabolic type. This is the best way to start improving your diet and learn more about the right kind of foods you should eat. What may be healthy for others is not necessarily healthy for you and vice-versa.
That's why eating according to your type is the proven way to learn which foods work best for you. You can discover your metabolic type right now by taking the free online nutritional type test. Please be sure to use the follow up question table as that is really the key to successfully implementing the results of the test.
Get moving on an exercise program--even a 10-minute commitment three times a day will help! There is no shortage of literature documenting the major benefits exercise has on improving one's health and lowing the risk of diseases. Exercising is always key to keeping your body, mind and soul healthy.
Consider reading Paul Chek's book, How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy!, a perfect complement to my nutritional plan. Chek's book challenges you to take control of your health and gives you the steps to designing your own individual nutrition and exercise program. You will find the many descriptive "how to" illustrations both easy to follow and implement into your exercise routine.
Improve your emotional health and well-being. It doesn't matter how devoted you are to a proper diet and lifestyle, emotional health is absolutely essential to your physical health and healing. That is why I suggest adopting the concept of an effective energy psychology tool Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that uses gentle tapping on acupuncture points to help you effectively address the stresses associated with eating healthy foods.
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Can You Trust the FDA? Beware of Meridia -- Italy Already Pulled it Off the Market Ban On Meridia is Sought Continued Insanity--Diet Drugs Still Popular
Can You Trust the FDA?
Beware of Meridia -- Italy Already Pulled it Off the Market
Ban On Meridia is Sought
Continued Insanity--Diet Drugs Still Popular