Meridia is a weight control pill made by Abbot Laboratories. Also known as sibutamine, Reductil, and Reduxade, Meridia is a neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor that regulates appetite by affecting natural chemicals in the brain.

Meridia has been associated with many side effects and various consumer groups have asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban further sale of the diet drug. Abbott has disclosed 34 deaths of Meridia patients but states it sees no pattern to the deaths or connection to Meridia. 16 deaths resulted from cardiovascular problems. The Italian government recently banned Meridia following deaths attributed to the diet drug. Some medical professionals are now advising patients to immediately discontinue Meridia use and the FDA is “looking into the adverse events of Meridia.”

Numerous side effects are associated with Meridia, including: abdominal pain, indigestion, anxiety, back pain, constipation, coughing, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, flu symptoms/bronchitis, insomnia, joint pain, loss of strength, nausea, painful menstruation, rash, sore throat, shortness of breath, cramps, kidney problems, heart problems, seizures, and other side effects.

The FDA issued a warning letter to Abbot in August 2002, after the manufacturer failed to report the death of a user of its diet drug Meridia and inaccurately reported other serious reactions among users of three other medicines. The consumer protection group Public Citizen has urged the FDA to ban Meridia and has accused Abbot of intentionally and illegally concealing important risk information regarding the drug.