European study reveals Obesity drug poses heart risk

A new study carried out by European experts unveiled that obesity drugs can pose greater heart risk. As a result the European regulators have decided to take off all the appetite suppressants available in the market. Sibutramine, a drug marketed as Meridia in Canada, was recently reviewed by the European Medicines Agency and it overcame its benefits. In a release, the agency advised pharmacist not to dispense and doctors not to prescribe the drug.

The agency further suggested that patients who are taking sibutramine at present should either stop treatment or visit their doctor for alternative. A trial performed for six long years on about 10,000 people using sibutramine showed a bigger risk of serious cardiovascular problems that include strokes and heart attacks.

Since the drug contraindicated in people with cardiovascular disease, most of the patients taking part in the trial did not follow the instruction given in the prescribing information. It is a known fact that heart attacks and strokes are higher among overweight and obsess patients. Thus, the agency had to consider the data obtained by the trial significant to its review. The suspension is likely to stay until and unless the company presents data that are adequate to prove that the benefits of sibutramine outweigh its risks.

The agency’s recommendations are likely to be adopted by the European Union nations. Kurt Ebenhoch, Abbott spokesman says that there are many patients who consider the sibutramine to be beneficial and will oppose with the decision of the committee of suspending the medicine.

A new warning label depicting that the drug is not meant patients with hypertension, heart failure, irregular heart beats problems and other heart risk was added by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Various reviews are now being conducted by Health Canada for sibutramine. Appropriate action will be taken if any fresh safety concerns pops up.