Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Fen-Phen Heart Valve Damage Lawsuit

Were you looking for PPH and Fen-Phen lawsuits?

Fen-Phen was withdrawn by the manufacturer, American Home Products (later Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories), in 1997 due to alarming reports of heart valve defects found in approximately 30 percent of the subjects of an obesity study. The two drugs that make up the combination are fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine (Ionamin). In addition, a drug known as Redux (dexfenfluramine) was also used and withdrawn.

FREE FEN-PHEN LAWSUIT EVALUATION

Send your Fen-Phen claim to a lawyer who will review your claim at NO COST or obligation.
GET LEGAL HELP NOW

Fen-Phen Heart Valve Damage

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) issued a recall of fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine in 1997 after the diet drugs were linked with heart valve damage and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH).

The FDA reported that, although Fenfluramine and phentermine were approved in the 1950s as individual agents for short-term use in the medical management of obesity, the use of Fen Phen products concomitantly had never been approved in the United States. However, the combination of the two products, i.e., Fen phen, was prescribed "off label" by many American health care practitioners as an appetite suppressant.

The agency encouraged medical professionals to report any heart valve irregularities found in patients that had taken Fen phen to the FDA.

FDA Announces Withdrawal of Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine

After receiving new evidence associating significant adverse side effects with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine (Redux), the FDA asked the manufacturers to voluntarily withdraw both treatments for obesity from the market.

Dexfenfluramine is manufactured for Interneuron Pharmaceuticals and marketed under the name of Redux by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a subsidiary of American Home Products Corp. of Madison, N.J., which also manufactures and markets fenfluramine under the brand name Pondimin. Both companies agreed to voluntarily withdraw their drugs.

In the US alone, between 6 million and 7 million people took fen phen and in 1996 there were 18,000,000 prescriptions written for the diet drug. Approximately 50,000 lawsuits have been filed by Fen-Phen users against the drugs' manufacturers, and in 2002 the manufacturers of the drug settled a nationwide lawsuit for $3.75 billion.

Fen-Phen PPH Claims now being accepted

Previous lawsuits involving Fen-Phen only encompassed mitral and aortic valve regurgitation. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) claims were excluded from the class action but now people have brought about PPH claims independent of the class.

In September 2012, Pfizer lost a bid to have claims regarding Fen-phen dismissed. Those claims alleged Fen-phen caused persistent pulmonary hypertension more than 10 years after the drug was last used. This means patients could have developed PPH since the original Fen-phen settlement was announced and may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

Patients who previously filed lawsuits for Fen-Phen related heart valve damage are not precluded from filing a suit for PPH related to Fen-Phen use, nor are they barred by the same statute of limitations that applies to PPH related heart valve damage. With a PPH claim, generally your statute of limitations will start when you are first diagnosed; it is not necessarily time-sensitive due to Fen-phen's withdrawal from the market.

Fen Phen Side Effects Lawsuit

If you or a family member have taken FenPhen or Redux and have suffered any side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Please click the link below to send your complaint to a FenPhen lawyer for a free case evaluation.
Last updated on

FEN-PHEN LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

The Lasting Legacy of Fen-Phen
The Lasting Legacy of Fen-Phen
February 16, 2015
Ask anyone who was at all concerned about their weight in the mid-to-late ’90s and they’ll likely remember the fen-phen debacle: A weight loss drug that came with an increased risk of serious heart and lung problems. Those problems - primary pulmonary hypertension (now called pulmonary atrial hypertension) and/or heart valve problems - were the basis of many a fen-phen lawsuit. Thanks to those problems, diet drugs today are looked at skeptically by everyone from patients to health care providers. READ MORE

Fen-Phen Side Effects and PPH: After All This Time, There Is Still Hope
Fen-Phen Side Effects and PPH: After All This Time, There Is Still Hope
January 11, 2015
Remember Fen-Phen? Sure you do, especially if you were overweight in the 1990s and looking for a quick and easy way to shed the excess pounds from all that fast food, combined with lack of exercise. Fen-Phen, a hybrid of fenfluramine and phentermine, had been given the blessing of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was touted as the miracle cure of the time for obesity. READ MORE

Statute of Limitations in Fen-Phen Lawsuits Ongoing
Statute of Limitations in Fen-Phen Lawsuits Ongoing
December 12, 2014
Many patients who took fen-phen and suffered fen-phen side effects such as primary pulmonary hypertension may have already settled their lawsuits against the company responsible for making the diet drug. Because fen-phen was pulled off the market so long ago, people might feel that lawsuits should already have been filed, and certainly some have. But for some patients, the statute of limitations has not yet run out. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
can someone conact me i used this drug in 1998 i have had plenty of unexplained out burst it has let me to many of years with mental treatment and trouble with temper .....

Posted by

on
Did anyone get what I am calling hives from head to toe and still get them from time to time?

Posted by

on
I was prescribed Phentermine and have a serious heart condition. I am basically on bed rest at 30 years old my life is ruined! I was prescribed Phentermine only six years ago. In 2012. I thought it was banned

Posted by

on
Walk 2 miles in AM and 2 Miles in PM.....for 3 months and you will loose that weight you don't need.

Posted by

on
My teen son and myself were injured by Pondimin Redux and filed lawsuit after a battery of tests. My son developed Pulmonary Hypertension and required years of oxygen therapy and robbed him of a normal life. He passed away July 27, 2005 at only 28 years old. He did not have Pulmonary Hypertension prior to taking this drug, Andrew passed from right sided heart failure due to lack of oxygen. Doppler exams indicate we both had mitral
Valve

Posted by

on
Need an attorney who can handle fen Phen case now 2016
i am not part of the class action suite I was just diagnosed with it and had open heart surgery

Posted by

on
I was part of the phen-phen lawsuit but never received compensation

Posted by

on
I took Fen-Fen back in the 90's and developed a leak in my aortic valve and was in ICU twice and underwent surgery to cortirize the valve. I sent in all my information and records. I received a phone call stating I sent records in 1 day late after the cut off date. They kept all my records but I still have some records where I purchased the medication and several other records to prove I had taken the drug. I have never received any money in this law suit. I would like to know what I need to do to proceed with this matter. I also have a signed certified postal card proving the information was sent to them at that time. Thank you for any help with this as I feel I have a strong case.

Posted by

on
I took the diet pill phen phen I sent all my records & tape in I had heart palpatiion they said I had a case. But they never called or contacted me. Now I have no records or tape they have it all. Can u help me thank you

Posted by

on
I took Phen/Fen for a year! I did settle for a small settlement back in the early 2000'2 because my mitril valve had thickening. I just found out in 11/2015 I have PPH !!! I am going to die from this! I had no idea I could get this from taking the drugs Phen/Fen together!! Their is no cure!! I am on oxygen 24/7. I take a total of 15 pills per day! I can NOT do anything anymore. I get out of breath and have pains. I also had to have a stent put in my heart artery in Nov. 2015. I want to sue whomever so my husband will be able to survive me when I'm gone. One less income!! I'd like to do this sooner then later. They will not tell me, but I figure I have 6 months to 1-1/2 years to live!!! Thanks for your help.

Posted by

on
I need a lawyer that can handel opted out fen Phen case.

Posted by

on
In 1998 My mom die I watch her as she got sick from fin phen and so many year I try to get help know talk to me I remember one I at home a phone call from a lawyer she told me that they were about to release my Money and after that I never hard any thing about it my mom die behind this she was in Hospital I could not believe this you know this has been hard life for me because my family do not talk me and I can not sleep for so many year I ask for help know one will help me do you know how I feel right now . It has been long time for me someone help me God bless.

Posted by

on
In 1998 My mom die I wat her as she got sick from fin phen and so many year I try to get help know talk to me I remember one I at home a phone call from a lawyer she told me that they were about to release my Money and after that I nev hard any thing about it my mom die behind this she was in Hospital I could not believe this you know this has been hard life for me because my family do not talk me and I can not sleep for so many year I ask for help know one will help me do you know how I feel right now . It has been long time for me someone help me God bless.

Posted by

on
My mom died of a heart attack after using Fen-Phen. She was only 28 years old.

Posted by

on
I am a 46-year-old female who was just diagnosed with moderate aortic valve insufficiency. I have no family history of heart valve problems and took Fen-Phen in the 1990's for approximately 6-12 months. My cardiologist is confident this is the cause of my valve damage. Now I must take anti-hypertensives to keep my blood pressure low and may need an aortic valve replacement in the future. Please help. Thanks!

Posted by

on
In '09 she had her mitrial valve replaced, in 9/12 she was diagnosed with an aorta disection and a blood clot on her aorta wall.

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.

Request Legal Help Now! - Free