FEN-PHEN

Fen-Phen refers to the use in combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Phentermine has also been used in combination with dexfenfluramine ("dexfen-phen"). Fenfluramine ("fen") and phentermine ("phen") are prescription medications that were approved by the FDA for many years as appetite suppressants for the short-term (a few weeks) management of obesity. Phentermine was approved in 1959 and fenfluramine in 1973. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) was approved in 1996 for use as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity.

In 1997 a Mayo Clinic study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine which suggested that as high as one-third of a patient sampling of Fen-Phen diet pill users had evidence of heart valve disease. The study found that there was a high incidence of heart valve disease in patients taking these diet pills, without any other known reason for valve disease. The symptoms of heart valve disease may be subtle and present with such complaints as shortness of breath and chest pain. The treatment can include medication, a valvoplasty, or repair of the damaged heart valves via heart valve surgery.

Use of certain fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine has been found to increase the risk of developing Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), especially use lasting more than three months. Studies estimate that treatment with certain appetite suppressant drugs increases the risk of getting PPH by 28 times.

Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare, and sometimes fatal, disease of unknown cause that results in the progressive narrowing of the blood vessels of the lungs, causing high blood pressure in these blood vessels and eventually leading to heart failure. Secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH) is the result of other types of lung disease, abnormal breathing processes or heart disease. PPH can occur in individuals of all ages and both genders, but it appears to affect predominately women in their thirties and forties.

Initial symptoms of PPH may be very minor, and diagnosis may be delayed for several years until symptoms worsen. Typical symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath following exertion

Excessive fatigue

Dizziness, fainting, and weakness

Ankle swelling

Chest pain

If you, or a family member, have taken diet pills containing Fen-Phen and think that you or your family member may be suffering from its side effects, please call Lanham & Blackwell, P.A., for assistance and more information. We are an experienced law firm that can help you in protecting your legal rights and holding negligent parties responsible.


		FEN-PHEN Fen-Phen refers to the use in combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Phentermine has also been used in combination with dexfenfluramine ("dexfen-phen"). Fenfluramine ("fen") and phentermine ("phen") are prescription medications that were approved by the FDA for many years as appetite suppressants for the short-term (a few weeks) management of obesity. Phentermine was approved in 1959 and fenfluramine in 1973. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) was approved in 1996 for use as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity. In 1997 a Mayo Clinic study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine which suggested that as high as one-third of a patient sampling of Fen-Phen diet pill users had evidence of heart valve disease. The study found that there was a high incidence of heart valve disease in patients taking these diet pills, without any other known reason for valve disease. The symptoms of heart valve disease may be subtle and present with such complaints as shortness of breath and chest pain. The treatment can include medication, a valvoplasty, or repair of the damaged heart valves via heart valve surgery. Use of certain fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine has been found to increase the risk of developing Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), especially use lasting more than three months. Studies estimate that treatment with certain appetite suppressant drugs increases the risk of getting PPH by 28 times. Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare, and sometimes fatal, disease of unknown cause that results in the progressive narrowing of the blood vessels of the lungs, causing high blood pressure in these blood vessels and eventually leading to heart failure. Secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH) is the result of other types of lung disease, abnormal breathing processes or heart disease. PPH can occur in individuals of all ages and both genders, but it appears to affect predominately women in their thirties and forties. Initial symptoms of PPH may be very minor, and diagnosis may be delayed for several years until symptoms worsen. Typical symptoms may include: Shortness of breath following exertion Excessive fatigue Dizziness, fainting, and weakness Ankle swelling Chest pain If you, or a family member, have taken diet pills containing Fen-Phen and think that you or your family member may be suffering from its side effects, please call Lanham & Blackwell, P.A., for assistance and more information. We are an experienced law firm that can help you in protecting your legal rights and holding negligent parties responsible.
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