Meridia Lawsuits

Meridia lawsuits seek compensation for those who developed serious side effects from the obesity medication Meridia. First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, and marketed in the U.S. by Abbott Laboratories, Meridia is an appetite suppressant. When used as directed, and in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, Meridia can be effective at promoting and sustaining weight loss.

It is estimated that up to 8 million patients worldwide have taken Meridia since it was first brought on to the pharmaceutical market.

Bases for Meridia Lawsuits

Despite its ability to help some lose weight, Meridia is known to cause a range of serious side effects that, in the worst cases, can be life threatening. Among the most serious side effects associated with Meridia (and sparking an increasing number of Meridia lawsuits) are:

  • Depression and/or thoughts of suicide
  • Heart attack, heart valve damage and/or primary pulmonary hypertension
  • Jaundice
  • Seizures
  • Stroke

While more than 30 wrongful deaths associated with Meridia have been reported in the U.S. alone, hundreds of patients have reported developing one or more of the above serious side effects.

FDA’s Warnings Spark More Meridia Lawsuits

In 2009, the FDA announced that it was reviewing a Meridia study (conducted by various European agencies in cooperation with Abbott Laboratories) that focused on 10,000 subjects. The study found that Meridia patients had greater chances of developing serious side effects – a finding that has highlighted whether the benefits of using Meridia actually outweigh its risks.

Although the FDA has yet to officially comment on this study, in August 2010, it did issue a contraindication for the use of Meridia in patients older than 65.

With increasing scrutiny from the FDA and the public, in October 2010, Abbott Laboratories voluntarily announced that it would no longer be producing and marketing Meridia in the U.S. Recent public awareness regarding the potential dangers of using Meridia have triggered an increasing number of Meridia lawsuits.

Starting a Meridia Lawsuit

If you believe that you have sustained severe Meridia side effects, or if you have lost a loved one with a history of taking Meridia due to such health complications, you may be entitled to a settlement from Abbott Laboratories to compensate you for your losses, pain, and suffering.

If you or a loved one used Meridia and suffered from any side effect including heart attack, heart valve damage, primary pulmonary hypertension, jaundice, seizures, and stroke you should contact our Meridia attorneys immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.