Italy has suspended the sale of weight-loss products
containing sibutramine, an anti-obesity drug patented
by U.S.-based Abbott Laboratories, a move which could
lead to a Europe-wide review of the medicine. Italy's
Health Ministry said on March 7, 2002 that it was
immediately withdrawing all sibutramine products from
the market due to 50 reports of health-related
problems.
The drug has been linked to serious side effects which
include: rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke, seizure and mental impairments.
Additionally It is believed that two women have died
as a results of complications from the drug. Abbott,
which markets the drug as Meridia in the United
States, said that 8.6 million people have used
sibutramine-based drugs since they were approved in
1997.
Although Italy was the first country to take the drugs
off the market, other nation's regulatory bodies have
expressed concern about sibutramine. Last December,
Britain's Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, published by
the Consumers' Association, warned the weight-loss
drug had limited benefits and ``unwanted'' side
effects. The side effects mentioned were raised heart
rates and blood pressure.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a
result of Meridia, call Attorneys911
at our toll free number, (800) 300-0001 or submit
an online questionnaire. The initial consultation
is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your
case, we will work on a contingency fee basis
(excludes Criminal Cases), which means we get paid for
our services only if there is a monetary recovery of
funds. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an
applicable expiration date, known as a statute of
limitations so please call right away to ensure that
you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
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