An estimated 100 people in the U.S. take the obesity drug Meridia or sibutramine, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Doctors in the U.S. may no longer prescribe Meridia because it appears to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a report in Business Week Magazine. Meridia and other appetite suppressant medications diminish feelings of hunger by blocking the brains appetite control center.
Abbott Laboratories agreed to pull Meridia off the market after a clinical review pointed to a 16 percent higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death among people taking the obesity drug.
Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs with Sibutramine
The FDA has issued a warning about the weight loss drug, Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules, which also contains sibutramine. Slimming Beauty is sold online by Beautiful Health Inc.
Side effects linked to sibutramine include fast or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, breathing problems, anxiety, nausea, depression, muscle stiffness, seizures, vomiting, lightheadedness, confusion, and fainting, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Liver Problems May be Linked to Weight Loss Drug Orlistat
The FDA is looking into the safety of the weight loss medication orlistat, brand names Alli and Xenical, due to reports that it can cause serious liver injury, note the Mayo Clinic. Orlistat is a dietary fat absorption inhibitor that stops your intestines from absorbing some of the fats from the food that you eat. The undigested fat is excreted in your bowel movements.
Although a definitive link between orlistat and liver dysfunction is yet unproven, people who take the drug are cautioned to watch for symptoms that could indicate the presence of liver problems. Signs include fever, brown urine, jaundice, fatigue and weakness.
Take Precautions with Weight Loss Drugs
Ideally, weight loss should be achieved by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, points out the Mayo Clinic. When conventional diets have failed, weight loss drugs may be helpful.
Weight loss medications are generally reserved for people with a body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30 or higher than 27 and you have a serious obesity-related condition like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of taking weight loss drugs. Your health care provider will take into account your health history and possible interaction of weight-loss drugs with other medications you may currently be taking.
Sources:
Business Week: "Weight-Loss Drug Meridia Pulled From U.S. Market" (Accessed October 9, 2010)
Drugs.com: "Orlistat" (Accessed October 9, 2010)
Mayo Clinic: "Weight Loss Drugs" (Accessed October 9, 2010)
National Center for Biotechnology Information: "Sibutramine" (Accessed October 9, 2010)
Karen Gaskell - Karen Jean Gaskell has worked as a radio and television journalist for more than three decades. During her career Karen has written and ...
Join the Conversation