Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and Diet Drugs
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) has recently been linked with the use of certain diet drugs, some of which include Fen Phen, Pondimin (fenfluramine) and Redux (dexfenfluramine). Studies have shown that the use of diet drugs from the fenfluramine family increase the likelihood of PPH development by as much as 28 times.
Primary pulmonary hypertension is a serious, albeit rare, type of lung condition that is characterized by a dangerously elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary artery (over 25 mmHg). The pulmonary artery is the major blood vessel through which oxygen-poor blood is transported from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs where it is oxygenized; carbon dioxide and other waste materials are removed and released via exhalation.
Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine
Fenfluramine was introduced to the U.S. market in 1973 as a type of appetite suppressant (anorexic). Also known as Pondimin, fenfluramine was developed to increase levels of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. The increase results in the depression of the central nervous system, allowing for the regulation of a patient's mood and appetite. The end result of treatment with fenfluramine is a patient's feeling of fullness, generating a loss of appetite.
Dexfenfluramine, marketed under the brand name of Redux, is a type of appetite suppressant that is a slightly different formulation of fenfluramine. Like fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine increases the levels of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain with the goal of depressing the central nervous system, resulting in a patient's loss of appetite. Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were sold individually for years prior to American Home Health Products' introduction of Fen Phen in 1990.
Fen Phen
Fen Phen is a combination drug that was introduced in 1990 as an anti-obesity or weight-suppressant drug. Fen Phen was recalled from the market by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 because of data that suggested a link between use of fenfluramine based drugs and primary pulmonary hypertension, heart valve defects and heart failure. The data suggested that patients who used the appetite suppressants were much more likely to develop primary pulmonary hypertension; this is particularly true for those who used the drugs for more than three months.
Fen Phen was produced by combining either fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine with phentermine. Phentermine is a type of sympathomimetic drug in that it mimics the effects of adrenaline. Like fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, phentermine also works on the neurotransmitters of the brain to suppress a patient's appetite; however, unlike fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, phentermine is a stimulant.
Although Fen Phen, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine have been recalled, phentermine remains in use as an anti-obesity drug.
Fen Phen Liabilities – PPH Lawsuits
People who have developed PPH, heart failure or a heart valve defect as a result of taking Fen Phen, fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine, may be eligible to receive compensation from the pharmaceutical companies who developed the drugs. It has been estimated that the total cost of liability for Fen Phen manufacturers, American Home Health Products Corporation, will eventually exceed $14 billion. Litigation thus far has cost the pharmaceutical giant an estimated $3.75 billion.
Justice Lawyers boast some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers Pensacola, Florida has to offer. People who have been injured as a result of diet drug use could be eligible for compensation. Contact the law offices of Justice Lawyers to get more information about PPH victims' rights.
The attorneys of the Law Office of Justice Lawyers are personal injury lawyers in Pensacola who protect victims of auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, defective drugs, consumer fraud, insurance fraud, product defects and defective medical devices, such as Guidant and Medtronic Pacemakers, and potentially harmful drugs, such as Ortho Evra. When you think of the top personal injury lawyers or car accident lawyers in Pensacola, think of Justice Lawyers.