Clinical trials of the weight-loss drug Meridia (sibutramine) have produced promising results. The trials showed the drug to be an effective tool in the battle against obesity when used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and exercise. Furthermore, the drug was shown to reduce bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing good HDL cholesterol. However, the study found that the drug increased the blood pressure of some patients and 3% of participants withdrew from the trial because of excessive increases. The study authors stressed It is prudent to monitor routinely the blood pressure of patients receiving sibutramine so any unusual cardiovascular response can be identified.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: The Lancet 2000; 356: 2119-2125
