The US Food and Drug Administration is currently in the process of reviewing a new diet drug Meridia, and while a final stance is still awaited, the agency has revealed preliminary data on the drug, according to which certain patients indulging in the long term use of the drug could be exposing themselves to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and come other serious cardiovascular problems. The revelation is based on findings put forward by a new study.

The study, which tested Meridia in people who are overweight or obese and at an increased risk of heart problems, revealed that the risk is actually hiked with the drug. In the wake of the findings, and till a final review is posted, the FDA has warned patients and doctors to continue following the current guidelines, under which Meridia is not to be used by people with a history of cardiovascular troubles.

For the sake of study, researchers followed nearly 10,000 people, aged 55 and above, who had a history of heart diseases and/or type-2 diabetes and were currently on the drug, and concluded that Meridia is not a good prescription in patients with a heart trouble history.

The FDA has said that it will continue to review Meridia, all the while keeping the study's findings in mind, but has not confirmed the results. Further analysis of the study is currently being undertaken.