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Pharmaranks rates Meridia 3.6/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Meridia (Sibutramine Hydrochloride) is a medication used to treat Obesity.

Sibutramine Hydrochloride · by Abbott

72/100Limited · 1 source

Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated October 10, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass
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Key facts

Active ingredient
Sibutramine Hydrochloride
Form
Capsule
Strength
Sibutramine Hydrochloride 10MG · Sibutramine Hydrochloride 15MG · Sibutramine Hydrochloride 5MG
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
May treat
obesity
Manufacturer
Abbott
FDA application
NDA020632
Availability
Discontinued (per FDA)

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Capsule

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Meridia treat?
Meridia (Sibutramine Hydrochloride) may be used to treat obesity, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How is Meridia rated?
pharmaranks gives Meridia a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
Is there a coupon or discount for Meridia?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Meridia. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Meridia?
Meridia is marketed by Abbott. You can see Abbott's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Meridia a brand-name or generic drug?
Meridia is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Sibutramine Hydrochloride.
Is Meridia available over the counter?
No. Meridia is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Meridia come in?
Meridia is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Meridia FDA-registered?
Meridia is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020632. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Has Meridia been recalled by the FDA?
Meridia has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
Is Meridia safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Meridia a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.

Information is sourced from public FDA regulatory data. Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

What people report to the FDA about SIBUTRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 191 reports naming SIBUTRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE — the active ingredient in Meridia, and the FDA flagged 93% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • weight decreased37 reports
  • tachycardia19 reports
  • headache18 reports
  • suspected counterfeit product16 reports
  • hypertension13 reports
  • nausea13 reports
  • palpitations13 reports
  • asthenia11 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean SIBUTRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 26, 2026.

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