From: ABBOTT                                                                          03-21-05

Dear Pharmacist:

We would like to remind you about important prescribing information for Meridia (sibutramine) according to the product label. In particular, we would like to reinforce the following statements from the product label relating to the appropriate choice of patients for Meridia therapy.

When to use Meridia

Meridia is indicated for the management of obesity, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, and should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet. Meridia is recommended for obese patients with an initial body mass index > 30 kg/m-2, or > 27 kg/m-2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., diabetes, dyslipidemia, controlled hypertension).

When not to use Meridia

Meridia substantially increases blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients. Therefore, Meridia should not be used in patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.

Meridia should be given with caution to those patients with a history of hypertension and should not be given to patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension.

Meridia is contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Meridia is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to sibutramine or any of the inactive ingredients of Meridia.

Meridia is contraindicated in patients with a major eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa).

Meridia is contraindicated in patients tasking other centrally acting weight loss drugs.

The use of Meridia during pregnancy is not recommended. Women of child-bearing potential should employ adequate contraception while taking Meridia. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking Meridia.

Patients should be monitored

Blood pressure and pulse rate should be measured prior to starting therapy with Meridia and should be monitored at regular intervals thereafter.

For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure and/or pulse rate while receiving Meridia, either dose reduction or discontinuation should be considered.

For more information on the use of Meridia, please refer to the enclosed product label.

We would also like to remind you that a user-friendly patient package insert (PPI) is available to help you educate patients about appropriate use of the drug. Please encourage your customers to read the PPI. Abbott Laboratories will enhance distribution of the PPI to ensure each patients filling a monthly prescription receives the PPI. Specifically, Abbott will introduce a new product package containing a new 30-count bottle and PPI. More information on the details and timing of this packaging will follow shortly.

If you have any questions regarding Meridia or require additional copies of the product label or patient package insert, please contact our Medical Information Department at 1-800-633-9110 or go to www.Meridia.net.

Sincerely,

William Landschulz, M.D., PhD

Divisional Vice President Metabolic Disease Development

Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development

Abbott Laboratories