Discontinuations
Product: Sibutramine (Meridia)
Manufacturer: Abbott
(847) 937-6100
www.abbott.com
Reason for discontinuation: Abbott has withdrawn the weight-loss drug Meridia from the US market as a result of a request from the FDA. Earlier in 2010, the FDA asked Meridia to add a contraindication to its label that states in stronger terms that people with a history of cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure) should not use the drug. However, after reviewing data from a clinical trial intended to evaluate the drug’s safety that indicated an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, the FDA requested the withdrawal in October 2010. Health-care providers are advised to stop prescribing Meridia; people taking it should stop immediately and talk to their doctors.
Product: Lilly Prefilled Pen
Manufacturer: Lilly
(800) 545-5979
www.lilly.com
Details: Lilly will stop manufacturing its original Prefilled Pens on January 1, 2011 — these include pens containing Humalog (insulin lispro), Humalog Mix 75/25 (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro injection), and Humalog Mix 50/50 (50% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro injection). There is currently a limited supply of these pens: Availability depends on your local pharmacy’s stock, and the pens may already be unavailable in some areas. Humalog insulin is still available in Lilly’s KwikPen line of prefilled pens.
