People have always wanted someone to tell them there’s another way to lose weight that doesn’t involve diet and exercise. So, in the 90s when Fen-Phen the miracle weight loss drug reached the market, people were eager to give it a try. Fen-Phen is the combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Pharmaceutical companies made similar versions of Fen-Phen, like Redux. As more people tried these drugs, it became apparent that they might not be the miracle drug everyone had hoped for.
Dangerous drugs can severely harm a person physically and mentally. It’s not fair for a person to have these experiences when they’ve been told the drugs were safe. In situations like this, you have the right to seek legal action. Thomas Law Offices handles dangerous drugs cases in Kentucky and we might be able to help you.
What Are Fen-Phen and Redux?
Fen-Phen is short for combining two drugs, fenfluramine and phentermine. They helped suppress appetites and were meant for singular, short-term use in obese patients.
While the FDA never approved using fenfluramine and phentermine together, the combined use was widespread. People thought this was finally the answer to weight loss problems.
Dexfenfluramine, another version of fenfluramine, was used in a new weight loss drug called Redux. Fenfluramine on its own would cause irritating side effects like nausea or anxiety. Redux was the answer to this problem. A combination of dexfenfluramine and phentermine, Redux was marketed as the drug that could treat obesity without giving patients any side effects. It wasn’t tested for safety just like Fen-Phen even though the FDA approved it.
With these two unsafe drug giants on the market, people were taking then in hopes of losing weight, but didn’t know the consequences of taking those drugs.
What Are the Side Effects of Fen-Phen and Redux?
People who took Fen-Phen and Redux had side effects dealing with their hearts. The FDA stated, “The treatment of obesity with a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine has been associated with the development of serious cardiac valvular disease.” Another heart-related side effect included primary pulmonary hypertension.
The New England Journal of Medicine published a study of 24 women who had taken Fen-Phen. All these women had no history of heart disease, yet they all had cardiovascular issues or a heart murmur. About five patients needed heart surgery.
The FDA eventually withdrew approval for fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. While phentermine is still available, it has a black box warning the user about cardiac valvular disease.
Do You Need a Louisville Dangerous Drugs Lawyer?
It’s scary to think that drugs that were approved and supposed to be safe can cause harmful health complications. When your doctor prescribes you a drug, you shouldn’t have to worry if that drug is going to cause more harm than good. If you or a loved one has experienced a drug’s harmful side effects, you don’t have to face it alone. The dangerous drug lawyers at Thomas Law Offices are skilled, caring, and compassionate people who will do all they can to get you results.
When drugs affect your health, you might have medical bills piling up. A capable lawyer might be able to get you compensation for your medical costs, in addition to other personal injuries you’ve suffered from the drugs.
We know pharmaceutical case law and we’re prepared to fight for you, because we believe in standing up for others when they can’t do it themselves.
You don’t have to balance health complications and medical bills on your own. Call us today at (877) 955-7001 and we’ll answer your questions and discuss what options are in your best interest.
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