by Michael Ventresca
Usually, I like to be positive. Most of the time I try to present information regarding how a natural product can help us get and stay healthy. But today, I’m going to be a little negative. I don’t mean to pick on Meridia – but I’ll get to that. First, the important stuff:
In case you haven’t heard the FDA is warning that people with a history of heart problems should not take the weight-loss pill Meridia because the drug can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in such people.
In an article from MedicineNet.com,
Specifically, the drug should not be used by people with a history of coronary artery disease (e.g., heart attack, angina), stroke or transient ischemic attack, heart arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure, the agency said.
Patients taking Meridia (sibutramine) should talk with their doctor to see if continued use of the drug is safe, the FDA said.
These new warnings were based on results from a 10,000-patient study of Meridia released in November. However, this is not the first time concerns have been raised:
The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen asked the FDA to take Meridia off the market late last year, contending there had been a total of 84 deaths associated with the drug reported to FDA as of last June., the Associated Press reported.
This is very important information and I’m glad the FDA is warning consumers. But here’s where I jump up on my soapbox – how can so many drugs like this be approved in the first place?!
So often I’m asked if a specific dietary supplement has been approved by the FDA, as if this implies a sense of safety. Doesn’t it seem all too often to be the case that a drug is approved by the FDA only to shortly after hitting the market produce more serious side effects than initially thought? If FDA approval means it has been rigorously studied for safety and effectiveness, how can we find out that Merida increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in those that have conditions often related to obesity – the very people who would look to take Merida.
For the record, I’m not anti-drug. I believe prescription medicines have their place in modern health-care, but I guess I just don’t get what it means to be FDA approved sometimes.
