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Weight Loss Drug Warning: Meridia (Sibutramine) gets a new warning
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: January 19, 2020
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Meridia, also known as sibutramine, was released in the 1990s, as a weight loss medication. Since the beginning, we have known that it often increases blood pressure and pulse that is persistent despite further weight loss.
As a bariatrician, a physician trained in the medical treatment of overweight and obesity, I have seen the effects both good and bad of Meridia. Just last week Meridia hit the news again as data from the Scout trial came to light. To summarize, Meridia was used in patients with a history of heart disease and diabetes or both. These are already high risk patients. The treated patients had an 11.4% risk of dying of heart attack, stroke or other heart related problem while those not on the drug the risk was 10%. Therefore the use of Meridia increased the risk of dying from a cardiovascular cause by an increase of 1.4%.
The F.D. A. will wait until the data is finalized, sometime this March, before looking at the issue again. Till then the recommendation is to avoid Sibutramine use in people with heart disease, stroke and uncontrolled blood pressure.
It is important to remember that medications for weight loss are a tool and usually a very effective tool to assist in the weight loss process. They are not a cure and need to be used in addition to diet, exercise and long term behavior change.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
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Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
