Meridia: Risk for Heart Disease Patients
Meridia Risky for People With Heart Disease
The label of the weight-loss drug Meridia (sibutramine) will include new information stating that the drug is not to be used in people with a history of disease involving the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), including
- coronary artery disease (for example, heart attack or angina)
- stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA)
- slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia)
- congestive heart failure
- plaque build-up in the arteries (peripheral arterial disease)
- uncontrolled high blood pressure (for example, greater than 145/90 mmHg)
Meridia is only recommended for obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or BMI of 27 or greater with other risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or controlled high blood pressure. (To determine your BMI, see the BMI calculator.)
The risk: FDA’s review of data indicates an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in people using Meridia who have a history of cardiovascular disease.
Recommendation: Talk to your health care professional about whether Meridia is right for you.
