Fen-Phen

Fen-phen was an anti-obesity medication (an anorectic) which consisted of two drugs: fenfluramine and phentermine.

After reports of heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension primarily in women who had been undergoing treatment with fen-phen, the FDA requested its withdrawal from the market in September 1997.

The action was based on findings from doctors who had evaluated patients taking these two drugs with echocardiograms, a special procedure that can test the functioning of heart valves. These findings indicated that approximately 30 percent of patients who were evaluated had abnormal echocardiograms, even though they had no symptoms. This is a much higher than expected percentage of abnormal test results.

In July 1997, researchers at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation reported 24 cases of rare valvular disease in women who took the "fen-phen" combination therapy. FDA alerted medical doctors that it had received nine additional reports of the same type, and requested all health care professionals to report any such cases to the agency’s MedWatch program or to the respective pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Subsequently, FDA received 66 additional reports of heart valve disease associated mainly with "fen-phen." There were also reports of cases seen in patients taking only fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine. FDA requested that the manufacturers of fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine stress the potential risk to the heart in the drugs’ labeling and patient package inserts. As of 1997, the FDA continued to receive reports of cardiac valvular disease in persons who have taken these drugs.

As of 2004, fen-phen is no longer widely available. In April 2005, American Lawyer magazine ran a cover story on the fen-phen mass tort crisis and reported that more than 50,000 product liability lawsuits had been filed by alleged fen-phen victims. Estimates of total liability run as high as $14 billion.

Fen-Phen Best Sellers from Amazon.com

Dispensing with the Truth: The Victims, the Drug Companies, and the Dramatic ...
by Alicia Mundy
Amazon Price:
Customer Review: This superb publication serves as an important guide for anyone who wants to know how drug companies operate and how trial lawyers help to uncover corporate dirt.

Preying on consumers and health care providers ,drug companies hype the...

Beyond Phen-Fen: The Secrets to Modern, Healthier, Safer Weight-Loss
by M. A. Abbas
Amazon Price:
Customer Review: Whether you are considering weight-loss through surgery, medications, dieting, behavioral changes... This book has every bit of up-to-date information you need to empower you in your weight-loss journey.

Safer Than Phen-Fen!
by Michael Md Phd Anchors
Amazon Price:
Customer Review: Dr. Anchors presents the use of prozac, which has been proven safe, instead of the fenfluramine that caused heart valve problems when used along with phentermine. The book offers sensible advise on food choices and exercise. The difference between...

DISPENSING WITH THE TRUTH, THE VICTIMS, THE DRUG COMPANIES, AND THE DRAMAT...
by Alicia Mundy
Amazon Price:

Nature's Alternatives to Phen-Fen: Natural Therapies for Healthy Weight Control
by Rita Elkins
Amazon Price:


Newsfeed display by CaRP

Fen-Phen News

• Fenphen Settlement More Than Estimate Lexington HeraldLeader
A mediator in a fen phen class action lawsuit told plaintiffs attorneys in 2001 that he thought the case was worth only 50 million to 60 million, according to testimony in federal court Friday. Attorney David Helmers testified that the mediator, former federal judge Daniel Weinstein, told lawyers he didnt think the case was worth more than that because of various factors, such as
• Fenphen Classaction Notice Wasnt Sent Lexington HeraldLeader
Attorneys handling a 200 million fen phen lawsuit tried to draft a letter informing plaintiffs that the case had been certified as a class action, but the notice was never sent out, according to testimony Thursday. Prosecutors contend that such a notice was required under Kentucky court rules. David Helmers, an attorney who worked on the suit, testified that a proposed notice was drafted.
• First Witness In FenPhen Says He Got 3M Bonus The Kentucky Post
The first witness in the Fen Phen settlement case says he got a 3 million bonus. Attorneys Shirley Cunningham, William Gallion and Melbourne Mills are accused of stealing 45 million from clients as part of the settlement deal.
• Lawyer Testifies In Fenphen Fraud Case UPI
LEXINGTON, Ky., May 15 UPI A Kentucky lawyer involved in a fen phen settlement case said he was advised to tell clients they were entitled to less money than court documents indicated.
• Formula For Fenphen Money Outlined Lexington HeraldLeader
An attorney who worked with the defendants in a 200 million fen phen class action suit testified Wednesday that he was told to offer plaintiffs in the case settlement amounts below those outlined in a funding formula he prepared. David Helmers testified in federal court that he developed a formula allocating each plaintiffs share of the settlement, based on how much injury each suffered

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The information provided by FactsOfLaw.com does not constitute legal advice or any other type of advice and is provided for educational purposes only without warranty of any kind. FactsOfLaw.com has not reviewed the information on this page for accuracy and is not responsible for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies.  For legal advice you should consult a licensed attorney. Source: wikipedia.org