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Fen phen Side Effects

Serious and deadly Fen Phen side effects prompted the recall of this dangerous drug in September 1997. Prior to the discovered of serious Fen Phen side effects, this drug was widely prescribed in hospitals and weight loss clinics as a "miracle" weight loss drug. Officials estimate that 18 million prescriptions for Fen Phen were written in 1996 alone. Approximately six to seven million Americans took this defective drug before Fen Phen side effects prompted the recall.

Fen Phen side effects were reported in the results of a Mayo Clinic study. In this study, doctors identified 24 cases of Fen Phen users who developed valvular disease from Fen Phen side effects. The patients who suffered these Fen Phen side effects had taken the defective drug for one to 28 months prior to being diagnosed with a serious cardiovascular condition caused by Fen Phen. After this Fen Phen side effects report was published, the FDA received another 75 reports of individuals who had developed serious Fen Phen side effects.

The most serious of Fen Phen side effects is a condition called PPH or Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. There is no known cure for this devastating disease that claims the lives of 150 people every year in the United States alone. Studies have found that PPH Fen Phen side effects were twenty five percent more likely in people who had taken this diet drug compared to the general population.

PPH Fen Phen side effects cause a rare lung disorder whereby a patient's blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises dangerously above normal healthy levels. The pulmonary artery is responsible for carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. When a person develops Fen Phen side effects, PPH causes an increased resistance in blood flow, the development of excess tissue in the artery walls, heart and right ventricle expansion, and other injurious health problems. PPH can ultimately cause the right side of the heart to fail which often leads to death.

The diagnosis of Fen Phen side effects can be difficult, particularly when a patient does not present the signs and symptoms of PPH. Some of the symptoms of PPH can include: shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual fatigue, fainting spells, swelling in the legs, and more. Fen Phen side effects may be diagnosed by way of an echocardiogram. Diagnosis of Fen Phen side effects are never simple and require a meticulous review of a patient's medical history, family history, and drug use.

When a person develops Fen Phen side effects they may be eligible to seek restitution from American Home Products, the company who negligently manufactured Fen Phen. After the 1997 recall, thousands of injured victims filed legal claims to seek compensation for their Fen Phen side effects. In 2003, it was estimated that one-third of all serious cases of Fen Phen side effects had still not been addressed by the Settlement Fund established to compensate Fen Phen victims.

If you would like to learn more about Fen Phen side effects, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can evaluate your case to determine your legal rights and options.

More Fen Phen News

December 6, 2006 -Fen-Phen Lawsuit Filed By Lung Disease Victims

May 17, 2004 - $1 billion fen-phen award upheld

May 12, 2004 - Fen phen payouts delayed

May 6, 2004 - Additional $1.275 billion set aside to settle fen-phen lawsuits

More Fen Phen Resources

PPH News - Provides valuable information on the issues surrounding Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), including what it is, the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options.

Pulmonary Hypertension Association - Features association background, disease and treatment information, news, research, and message boards.

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