Taking Action for People Harmed by Unsafe Prescription Drugs Nationwide
FDA approval and the ability to market a new prescription drug in the U.S. can mean hundreds of millions or billions of dollars in profits for the pharmaceutical company. Once a drug is approved, it can take years for severe health risks to be recognized and much longer for those risks to result in warnings on packaging, a recall or removal from the market.
Meridia, a weight loss drug also known as sibutramine, was approved by the FDA in 1997 and manufactured and marketed by Knoll Pharmaceuticals and Abbott Laboratories until October 2010, when it was recalled due to Meridia patients' increased risk of cardiovascular problems. If you have lost a family member to a heart attack or stroke, or suffered serious health problems you believe may be related to use of Merida, please contact our firm for legal counsel.
Did Meridia Warnings and the Recent Recall Come Too Late for Your Family?
Safety concerns about Meridia have been expressed and debated for many years, with one consumer advocacy group having recognized the risks of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease and originally petitioned the FDA for a recall in 2002.
Known Meridia side effects also include increased blood pressure and heart rate along with increased risk of heart disease and seizures. However, it was not until early 2010 that the FDA warned against prescribing the drug for people with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Discuss Your Legal Right to Compensation With an Experienced Lawyer
Recent clinical studies and continued "adverse event" reports — including dozens of heart attack and stroke fatalities linked to Meridia — have now led to the recall and the likelihood of many Meridia lawsuits on behalf of victims.
At the Beaumont, Texas-based, nationally recognized Provost Umphrey Law Firm, we have a team of attorneys focused on pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. Our strengths in research, case building and trial work at the state and federal levels equip us well to evaluate and pursue your valid Meridia lawsuit. We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation on your potential case.
