Fen-Phen Recall - Background Information
Fen-Phen, also marketed as Redux and Pondimin, is a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Fen-Phen was used by over six million Americans to accelerate weight loss when the drug was recalled in 1997. While Fen-Phen effectively accelerated weight loss, it also caused heart valve damage and PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension), two life-threatening conditions. Approximately 30 percent of Fen-Phen patients currently suffer from heart valve problems. In 1997, Fen-Phen was recalled after over 100 people were reported to have heart valve disease associated with Fen-Phen.
Dangers of Fen-Phen
Fen-Phen has been linked to two life-threatening conditions: heart valve disease and PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension).
Heart Valve Damage
Fen-Phen can cause serious damage to the mitral and aortic valves in the heart, which causes oxygenated blood to flow back into the heart instead of flowing out to the rest of the body. This form of heart valve disease can, in some cases, be treated with mediation. However, it often requires heart valve surgery to repair or replace damaged valves.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
Fen-Phen has been proven to increase the risk of developing PPH, a condition associated with the narrowing of blood vessels in the lungs. The passage of blood is constricted, which not only causes high blood pressure but may also cause heart and lung failure. Common symptoms of PPH include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting spells
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Ankle swelling
Take Action - Contact our Fen-Phen lawyers in Washington, DC and Boston
If you have used Fen-Phen for over three months, you should contact a physician immediately. You could be at serious risk of heart valve damage or PPH. Our fen-phen lawyers are experts in Fen-Phen recall litigation and information. If you have any questions about the damaging effects of Fen-Phen, or if you think you have been injured by Fen-Phen, contact us in Boston or Washington, DC today. Our firm has helped many victims of Fen-Phen receive the compensation they deserve.
Pollack & Flanders, LLP serves the following states: Massachusetts, Virginia, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.