Fen-Phen and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)

Fen-Phen and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) 1973: Pondimin, a fenfluramine drug, was introduced. 1997: A 30-year-old woman died from heart problems after taking Fen-Phen for only a month. Fen-Phen (fenfluramine/phentermine) is a weight loss drug used to suppress appetite and cause weight loss. Fen-Phen releases additional serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls how appetite is perceived in the brain. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals manufactured Pondimin and Redux, two drugs using Fen-Phen. The company spent $52 million marketing these drugs but has since paid over $13 billion to settle claims filed by people who used the drugs. The primary claim raised by plaintiffs is that this dangerous drug causes primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), also known as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). 30 Year Old Woman 1983: Pharmacologist Michael Weintraub combined fenfluramine and phentermine. DE A D The New England Journal of Medicine published a study performed by the Mayo Clinic, which found that 24 women taking Fen-Phen experienced PPH due to the excess of serotonin caused by the drug. Common Side Effects: Fatigue Dizziness Shortness of breath or hyperventilation PPH Serious Side Effects: Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hyptension (IPAH) The FDA received 144 adverse event reports on Fen-Phen drugs and found that 30% of people using the drug reported unusual echocardiogram results. On September 15, Wyeth withdrew Pondimin and Redux from the market. Heart valve disease Heart failure 1992: Doctors began prescribing Fen-Phen for weight loss even though it had not been approved by the FDA. O%30 Normal Heart Heart with PPH 1996: In April, the FDA approved Redux, a fenfluramine drug. Wyeth spends $52 million marketing its Fen-Phen products. As a result of the marketing, Fen-Phen prescriptions exceed 18 million earning the company $300 million in annual sales. 2003: In September, Forbes Magazine published the article, "Bad Medicine," stating that 153,000 lawsuits had been filed against Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and $13 billion had been paid by the company. $300 Million 153,000 Lawsuits Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878