What is Fen-phen?
Although it is usually referred to singularly as "fen-phen" by the media, fen-phen is a not a single drug, but a combination of two prescription drugs called fenfluramine(also released in another form called dexfenfluramine), and phentermine. Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine are both classified as appetite suppressants, and phentermine is a classified as a mild stimulant and a form of amphetamine. Fenfluramine was marketed under the name Pondimin, and dexfenfluramine was marketed under the name Redux. The drugs were manufactured and marketed by American Home Products Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. The combination of drugs was once hailed as a breakthrough treatment for people struggling with obesity. Fen-phen became incredibly popular in the 1990's and was used by an estimated 6 million people. Weight loss centers across the country began to spring up during the height of fen-phen's popularity in order to meet the huge demand for the anti-obesity drug.
Fen-phen Side Effects
Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were removed from the market in the United States as well as Canada and Europe in 1997. Fen-phen began to come under fire when the FDA began to hear of reports of heart valve disease and hypertension in some patients taking fen-phen. In July of 1997, a report by the Mayo Clinic began to link the fen-phen combination to heart valve disease. Some studies reported that patients who took fen-phen for more than six months were 17% more likely to develop heart valve disease in the mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves. Reports from doctors indicated that of the many fen-phen patients who received echocardiograms, a medical procedure designed to test the functionality of heart valves, approximately 30% of those tested were found to have abnormal valve problems. Some of these reports indicate that regurgitation, which is leakiness and backflow of blood in the heart valves, was the main abnormality discovered in patients who had been taking fen-phen. These valve abnormalities are very serious, as they may show no outward symptoms until the condition becomes advanced and may lead to severe heart or lung disease and even death if they are not treated. In 1999, American Home Products agreed to pay out $3.75 billion in a settlement to thousands of patients who took the fen-phen combination of prescription drugs before they were withdrawn from the market in 1997.
Questions and Consultations
If you or a family member has taken the prescription drug combination fen-phen and noticed adverse side effects, such as cardiovascular problems, you should contact a physician immediately. If you would like to discuss your rights, are interested in more information on fen-phen litigation, or if you have information about the cases that you would like to share with us, please fill out the short evaluation form below and a member of Seeger Weiss LLP?s experienced staff will call you to discuss your potential rights concerning fen-phen. Attorney consultations incur no obligation on your part and all initial consultations are free of charge and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Seeger Weiss LLP has office locations in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys practice in courts throughout the country.
Link To Lawyer Seek's Fen-phen Content:
<a href='http://www.lawyerseek.com/Practice/Pharmaceutical-Injury-C1/Fen-phen-P33/'>Fen-phen: Lawyer Seek</a> |
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