| Meridia is a weight-loss pill manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and sold to millions around the world. The drug is a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor that sometimes causes a substantial increase in blood pressure, leading to various cardiovascular problems, including death.
According to the FDA (Federal Drug Administration), between November 1997 and August 2003, the drug agency received reports of 54 deaths of patients in the US taking Meridia, 30 of those deaths were from cardiovascular problems. There were also 224 serious nonfatal adverse events from cardiovascular problems during that time, including:
- Viral cardiomyopathy
- Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks)
- Artrial fibrillation
- Hypotenstion
- Cardiac valve disease
The consumer protection group, Public Citizen, asked the FDA to ban the drug because of this risk, but the FDA refused. See Drug Warnings: Meridia Side Effects and Risks for more information on that controversy.
The FDA has also received 34 reports of women who were exposed to Meridia during their pregnancies, of those 34 exposures five resulted in birth defects. The FDA does not recommend the use of Meridia during pregnancy.
If you are using Meridia you may want to talk to your health care provider about the danger of cardiovascular problems. If you continue to take Meridia you should make sure that your health care provider monitors your blood pressure levels carefully. If you or a loved one has been injured because of Meridia use, you may be able to claim damages for your injury. To start this process, consult a qualified Meridia attorney who can explain your rights and the value of your case. See Meridia Attorney and Lawyer – How to Hire for information on finding an attorney knowledgeable in Meridia drug litigation.
Check out the following articles for more information about Meridia, filing a Meridia lawsuit and finding a Meridia attorney:
Suffered harm from Meridia? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. | 
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