Meridia (generic name: sibutramine HCI monohydrate) is a drug used to treat obesity by controlling appetite. It has been linked to side effects such as rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, seizure, and mental impairments.

Italy has suspended the sale of weight-loss products containing sibutramine, an anti-obesity drug patented by U.S.-based Abbott Laboratories, a move which could lead to a Europe-wide review of the medicine. Italy 's Health Ministry said on March 7, 2002 that it was immediately withdrawing all sibutramine products from the market due to 50 reports of health-related problems.

It is believed that two women have died as a result of complications from Meridia. Abbott, which markets the drug, said that 8.6 million people have used sibutramine-based drugs since they were approved in 1997.

Although Italy was the first country to take the drugs off the market, other nations' regulatory bodies have expressed concern about sibutramine. Last December, Britain's Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin , published by the Consumers' Association, warned that the weight-loss drug had limited benefits and ”unwanted” side effects of raised heart rate and blood pressure.