By Madhuri Dey
Jan 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has issued a warning to the consumers about a diet pill, claiming that it increases chances of a heart attack and stroke among those who have had a history of heart disease. The weight loss pill was being marketed by the Abbott Laboratories, and it ceased the process immediately after the warning was issued by the regulators. The particular medicine is therefore now being marketed with an additional list of warnings, and the label that currently goes with the brand says that those using it should ensure that they do not have a record of hypertension, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks or any other heart problem.

The medicine, known as sibutramine but sold as Meridia, has also been cautioned against in Europe. Doctors and pharmacists in Europe have been requested by the European Medical Agency to refrain from selling or prescribing the medicine. In fact, the agency has also demanded that the manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, be deprived of its license to manufacture the drug anymore. It is being expected that all the nations in the European Union would also be adopting this measure.

On the other hand, the manufacturing company begs to differ. According to a spokesperson for the Abbott Laboratories, Kurt Ebenhoch, the weight loss pill does not pose more risk. He claims that many of the customers who have consumed the medicine have reported positive results, sans the side effects. The company also claims that they sell the medicine only to those whose medical records do not show heart ailments.