|
What
You Should Know About Fen-Phen and Redux
In 1996, more than 18
million prescriptions were written for Fen-Phen, a drug "cocktail"
combination of fenfluramine and phentermine On September 15, 1997,
the drug was withdrawn from the market at the request of the Food
and Drug Administration. Studies of patients taking Fen-Phen have
shown that the drugs are linked to heart valve damage and primary
pulmonary hypertension, a potentially fatal progressive disease with
no known cure. The FDA has stated that "the data we have obtained
indicates that fenfluramine, and the chemically closely related
dexenfluramine (Redux®) present an unacceptable risk at this time to
patients who take them."
What is Fen-Phen and how
does it work? Fen-Phen is a drug combination intended for the
treatment of obesity. Phentermine suppresses appetite and increases
the rate at which calories are burned, but can cause insomnia,
restlessness and an increase in blood pressure. Fenfluramine
releases the blood chemical seratonin - which appears to play a role
in regulating mood and appetite. It was combined with phentermine
because of its ability to counter phentermine's stimulating effects.
However, in August 1997,
a report in the New England Journal of Medicine described a
study of women who took Fen-Phen and Redux and had no previous
history of cardiac disease. The women showed symptoms of a heart
murmur. Twenty percent required cardiac surgery. The report
identified Fen-Phen as a possible cause of "valvular damage". The
study concluded that "Candidates for fenfluramine-phentermine should
be informed about serious potential adverse effects, including
pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease"
In a later study of
additional patients, some were found to have no symptoms, although
an echocardiogram showed the presence of a heart murmur. Other
patients who have taken Fen-Phen showed symptoms such as shortness
of breath, swelling of the feet, and heart murmur. Symptoms such as
chest pain and fainting indicate more severe symptoms of limited
cardiac output.
People who have taken
Fen-Phen and Redux even for a brief period of time may be at risk
for heart valve damage or primary pulmonary hypertension. Both are
very serious medical conditions. You may want to consult a doctor
other than the one who issued your prescription.
Since these medical
conditions are certain to involve the manufacturing pharmaceutical
company and significant medical expenses, you may also want to
contact an attorney. The Law Offices of Nadrich & Cohen
currently represents individuals in connection with their use of
Fen-Phen and Redux. Because these cases are in national litigation,
we can represent individuals from all 50 states. We represent people
in both private litigation and class action settlement against the
manufacturers of these diet drugs. If you have any questions about
these drugs or about your legal rights, contact:
The Law Offices of
Nadrich & Cohen at (800) 718-4658. |
