23 January 2010
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe, has issued a statement about anti-obesity drug sibutramine (Reductil) which recommends the suspension of the licence for the medicine across Europe.
Evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes with this medicine that outweighs the benefits of weight loss, which is modest and may not be sustained in the long term after stopping treatment. Pharmacists are asked to cease dispensing the medicine. People who are currently taking Reductil are advised to make a routine appointment with their doctor to discuss alternative measures to lose weight.
Other slimming drugs have raised concerns about possible health implications recently, including Orlistat (Alli). Leigh Day & Co currently represents claimants who have suffered problems following their use of another diet drug Acomplia (Rimonabant).
If you have suffered any side-effects as a result of taking a diet drug, and wish to speak about a possible claim, please contact Boz Michalowska Howells or Jill Paterson for a free initial consultation on 020 7650 1200.
Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.
Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.