Abbott Laboratories is taking its weight loss drug Meridia (sibutramine) off the market, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The company voluntarily withdrew the drug in the wake of findings showing an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in people who used the drug. Meridia is taken by about 8 million people worldwide.
According to Paging Dr. Gupta:
‚ÄúApproved in 1997 for weight loss, the original data on the drug showed that people who took Meridia lost at least 5 percent more of their body weight … The FDA requested the company withdraw the drug, after reviewing data from a follow-up study known as the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial (SCOUT ). It showed there was a 16 percent increase in the risk of serious heart events‚Äù.
My Thoughts:
Do I ever get tired of hearing about weight loss drugs causing more trouble? Yes! Because we are teaching our youth that “if you ignore your body and do what ever feels good or taste good, later you can take a pill to make it all go away”.
People are getting hurt all the time because of these useless drugs! Exercise and a “clean” diet are priorities people, not just good ideas. There will never be a healthier alternative to eating right and exercising regularly. The minute you realize that well… we will be getting somewhere. I’ll fix your heart and you’ll lose weight at the same time, and it tastes great too!
Go do something.
Sources:
Paging Dr. Gupta October 8, 2010
www.mercola.com
