Bailey Perrin Bailey - A Registered Limited Liability Partnership - 1-866-716-8300

Fen Phen

On September 15, 1997, under pressure from the FDA, American Home Products Corporation withdrew from the market its diet drugs Pondimin (fenfluramine) and Redux (dexfenfluramine). “Fen Phen” was a combination drug mixture of Pondimin or Redux with Phentermine, an amphetamine-like drug, and was widely prescribed to promote weight loss. Pondimin and Redux were two of the most widely prescribed diet drugs in the U.S. In 1996, sales of Pondimin and Redux totaled well over 20 million prescriptions. According to company estimates, 4 million people have used Pondimin and another 2 million have used Redux.

Both Pondimin and Redux were withdrawn simultaneously from the market following the release of research by the Mayo Clinic linking both drugs to the occurrence of serious cardiac valvular disease and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (also referred to as “Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or “PAH”). Studies performed on such diet aids, including the recalled drugs marketed as “Fen Phen”, Redux, and/or Pondimin, showed that while PAH is a rare occurrence affecting very few people, 1 in 20,000 diet drug users became affected by pulmonary hypertension. Researchers have since found this estimation to be conservative.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a serious lung and heart disorder stemming from the blood vessels in the lungs. These blood vessels constrict causing the pressure in the pulmonary artery (that connects the heart to the lungs) to rise and create a life threatening situation. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is considered by doctors to be a rare and elusive disease. The rarity of the disease and its common symptoms often lead to a late diagnosis. The first symptoms are general and usually nonspecific, with the person experiencing fatigue.

Today, by far the biggest risk factor for PAH is a history of diet drug use including Fen Phen, Pondimin and Redux.
If you have taken diet drugs for any length of time and experience dyspnea (shortness of breath), fainting, swollen ankles, rapid pulse, increased heart rate, chest discomfort and pain, dizziness, general weakness and fatigue over weeks or months you should see a doctor and describe your concerns. In general, women display more of the symptoms than men. Although both sexes are at risk, PAH occurs more often in younger woman for unknown reasons.

You are urged to contact our experienced lawyers if you or someone you know has suffered any of these symptoms. There is no obligation for us to review your case. You may fill out our Free Case Evaluation and we will call you or you may call us at 866-716-8300. For additional information on the symptoms and causes of PAH. Act now, because the deadline for filing your case against the manufacturers of these diet drugs may soon pass. We can help people who have pulmonary hypertension they believe may be related to taking Fen Phen. Contact Us by filling out our confidential submission.