During the 1990s, doctors began to prescribe fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine
and phentermine in combination, to increase the weight loss effect.
Both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine alter the serotonin levels
in the brain to suppress feelings of hunger. Although the drugs
were individually approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), the combination was not. On July 8, 1997, the Mayo Clinic
reported that heart valve dysfunction was found in 30% of Fen-Phen
users that were tested in a Mayo Clinic study. This finding of such
a serious risk led the FDA to withdraw dexfenfluramine (ReduxTM)
and fenfluramine (Pondimin®) from the market in September 1997.
Although phentermine may also cause heart valve damage, it was not
recalled by the FDA and is still on the market. In addition to heart
valve damage, Fen-Phen causes primary pulmonary hypertension, a
potentially fatal, progressive disease with no known cure.
Symptoms that
result from the use of Fen-Phen include shortness of breath, chest
pain, swelling of feet, fainting and/or a new heart murmur. If you
or a loved one has taken Fen-Phen and suffer from any of these symptoms,
a doctor should be consulted immediately! Early detection and early
treatment can positively impact the disease outcome.
The health problems
associated with the use of Fen-Phen have resulted in individual
and class action lawsuits. If you took Fen-Phen (Pondimin® and/or
ReduxTM), then you may have a claim against the companies that manufactured
and sold the drugs. Lawsuits already filed for such injuries allege,
among other things, that some of the manufacturers and distributors
of the drugs were aware of the health risks associated with the
drugs and failed to adequately warn of such risks. Discovery conducted
by lawyers at our law firm in the
lawsuits reveals that some of the drug manufacturers underreported
the risk of primary pulmonary hypertension to physicians prescribing
Fen-Phen.
Several members
of our law firm actively participated
in the work-up and discovery phases of the Fen-Phen litigation that
resulted in a $4 billion global settlement against American Home
Products, the manufacturer of ReduxTM and Pondimin®.
If you took
Fen-Phen, ReduxTM, or Pondimin®, it is important to determine
whether or not you have a valid claim as soon as possible because
the statute of limitations (the date by which your claim must be
submitted or a lawsuit filed) may expire and preclude you from any
compensation whatsoever.
The class action settlement required that you make a decision whether
or not to participate in the settlement by March 30, 2000, unless
you have primary pulmonary hypertension, which the settlement does
not cover.
The final deadline
to participate in the settlement was May 3, 2003 (with a July 3,
2003 extension for some individuals). The settlement does not apply
to fen-phen users with PPH. Fen-Phen users with PPH may pursue there
claims individually.
Preserving
Your Claim
All states have mandatory time limits in which lawsuits must be
filed or claims may be forever barred. Persons believing they may
have been injured by a recalled or dangerous drug and desiring to
have a lawyer review their case may complete our online
form. |
