One of the problems associated with the Fen-Phen drug was primary pulmonary hypertension, a heart and lung related condition. The product was pulled from the market for heart risks and other side effects. But now we have another combination that could also foster cardiovascular risks such as increased heart rate, and other side effects.In fact, according to an ABC News report (7/17/12), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially issued a big thumbs-down to the Topiramate-Phentermine combo in 2010 out of concern for serious side effects. But the expert panel, in the end, did an about-face and recommended approval of the drug two years later in a vote that could only be described as an overwhelming majority. Their reason? There wasn’t anything on the market that could really help severely obese people, for whom traditional efforts involving diet and exercise alone don’t seem to work. Thus, severe obesity is, in itself a health risk. Other factors such as heart disease and diabetes complicates obesity, and the panel felt the new diet drug containing one-half of the drug contained in the original Fen-Phen pills, would carry less risk even in view of side effects, when offset against the risks to a person’s health of severe obesity.
The Fen-Phen of today, so to speak, is the weight-loss drug Qsymia. Originally dubbed Qnexa, ABC News reports that the FDA required manufacturer Vivus to alter the name to avoid confusion with similarly-named drugs. Qsymia, apparently, takes advantage of the tendency of Topiramate to result in weight loss as a side effect, and the capacity of Phentermine to suppress appetite. Overweight Americans who have used Qsymia have said they are less hungry, and food tastes different--enough to foster a desire to eat less. The manufacturer says the new drug must be used in concert with a healthy diet and exercise.
But there are similarities with the Fen-Phen of old. There are risks for elevated heart rate in certain patients, and pregnant women are decidedly off-limits, due to concern for birth defects. According to Dr. Richard Besser, the Chief Health and Medical Officer for ABC and commenting on Good Morning America in July of last year, women interested in going on Qsymia have to medically ensure they are not pregnant at the time they start on the drug, and that monthly pregnancy tests are required while the Qsymia regimen is active and ongoing.
Because Phentermine was part of the Fen-Phen diet pill, the FDA is requiring the manufacturer of Qsymia to undertake long-term studies to watch for heart problems.
Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale Prevention Research Center, referenced Qsymia as useful over the interim. “It will help some people lose weight, and many others will try it, dislike it and stop, and gain the weight back.”
But he also said this:
“Honestly, I won’t be surprised if adverse effects over time result in a reversal of the approval,” for Qsymia, Dr. Katz told ABC.
READ MORE PPH AND FEN-PHEN LEGAL NEWS
The manufacturer of the original Fen-Phen drug was American Home Products, which later became Wyeth, according to The Philadelphia Business Journal (1/8/13). Wyeth was later swallowed up by Pfizer. The Fen-Phen diet pill was pulled off the market in 1997 due to PPH and Fen-Phen, and heart valve problems. Health advocates are watching Qsymia--the combination of Topiramate and Phentermine--to see if there could be similar concerns emerging beyond the capacity for confusion, and an elevated heart rate.
READER COMMENTS
Katy
on
I believe it was human error that led to the weight loss medication to be pulled off the market. The threat of lawsuits always win.
Reynaldo Baca
on
Bon
on
Lisa
on
FWIW, in the intervening years since Fen Phen was taken off the market, and after gaining the 20 pounds back, I tried HCG, to no effect. When I traveled to Mexico and bought some "Fen Phen" there, it was either fake, or a different product (because my Spanish isn't 100%) and again, nothing happened. Later I found a place to buy Fen Phen online from China, the first batch kind of worked but the next few batches gave zero results. And it was expensive.
And yes, I took all the pre-lawsuit heart tests and they found nothing at all of concern. So why won't the Powers That Be bring Fen Phen back for those of us who benefited with no ill effects?? I would absolutely take any tests and sign a waiver or whatever else was needed. It's just wrong that a medication that helped so many so much has been taken away completely from those who need it.
Mina
on
CJT
on
Linda Sims
on
robert jones
on
Donna
on
It should be available to us. It never stopped in other countries and they do not note harm or deaths. They don't go on diet crazes either.
Terriann
on
Amanda Rodriguez
on
I would never take this pill or any pill related to Fen-Phen. My mother took this pill for 8 months and even though it did in fact make her lose weight it caused her to have a heart problem. She passed away from a heart attack over 17 years ago and I will never take a dietary medication ever because of this. I honestly believe we all have an inner motivation to lose the weight instead of taking the easy way out on taking a pill. Wake up...go to the gym...eat healthy and you will see your energy increasing and your weight decreasing. Do not take the easy way to weight loss, look at my mother now she's in heaven now without her family because she cared more about her weight when we all saw her as beautiful as she ever was.
Hope this will shed some light on what this pill as done to my family and many others.
Thank you,
Amanda
Debbie
on
Cris
on
Lou
on
Jennie Geck
on
What took its place? Or can someone suggest a new combination . After change women go thru it would help. Please can anyone suggest something.
Corinne Placido
on
Debbie Przepioski
on
was all it took. Somehow that combo worked well. Kept off
weight until I hit menopause. I'd like to take it for 3 months
just to get the 40 lbs off. True Miracle drug !
Cindy
on
Val
on
Alice
on
I had more energy, not too much, just enough to work and still feel like walking, exercising, having fun. I didn't crave bad foods, so I ate what I knew would be healthy. I also was happier than I ever remembered being. I was content before, but this gave an extra measure of positive outlook and calm. I was myself, only much better--happier, more energetic, accomplishing much more. AND I lost 30 lbs. in 3 months, which was my perfect weight. I took, at my own expense, all the cardio tests to make sure I hadn't incurred any health deficit. But I knew I hadn't, and I was right.
That was 20 yrs. ago and now that I am older and I don't have the benefit of the wonder drug Phen-fen, I am never energetic and am rather depressed since most of the weight has come back over time. If only I could take Phen-fen again. It does seem rather sketchy the way it was taken off the market for a few people, when most had done so well on it. If a money conspiracy is behind it, those evil people will be repaid for their harm to so many.
Many of us would be happy to sign a waiver to take the drug again. Please let me know if it comes on the market again.
Patricia Rinehart
on
Jess
on
Scott
on
Will
on
Di
on
Also I have to wonder if those people who had problems would have had them if they hadn't taken Phen Phen. I mean give me a break. The comment here about taking one pill then hearing about the controversy and getting a refund. But now thinking what problems she is having now has to do with her condition. Seriously? Half the people having problems most likely have health issues due to being overweight. They've got to bring Phen Phen back!!
Susan F
on
My local pharmacist told me it has been taken off the market by the company that made it, but it is not banned. A compounding pharmacy can make it for you. The only draw back is you need a physician to write the script.
Just thought I would add this tidbit of information.
R.E.
on
Bushels of Thanks.
Rea Esmel
on
My sibling and I took PHEN-PHEN for years under the guidance of the Doctor without problems and felt the best in our lives. I always ask my sibling how much money is enough for crooks. They can't possibly spend what they have in a1000 year. Their scientist F..#%ed our foods DNA so Our DNA no longer in sync with nature. So no matter how much we diet, jog, walk, or jump around till monkeys get jealous I say we are scr#%d. Bring back PHEN-PHEN. I'll pay more for it to the greedy Bast#%*ds. Each one of us has the right to govern our own body. It is amazing that they don't work as hard stopping illegal drugs.
Signed, EEGR and a I have a right to govern my own body.
Lillyann
on
Now she has pulmonary hypertension.....and need oxygen all the time.
This result happened over the past two years..... Her doctors says that it is related to her use of Phen Phen.
I understand that the class action law suit was settled and people like my sister are incurring not only additional health and medical costs not covered by their medical insurance coverage but their quality of life and life expectancy has diminished.
Is there any help for people like my sister? Who did not realize until very recently that they had suffered adversely from their usage of medically prescribed PhenPhen?
Gayle
on
When they took it off the market after a few cases (statistically insignificant I might add), my weight continued to increase to the point now that it literally has doubled - and NO amount of dieting and calorie counting has made ANY DIFFERENCE.
NO ONE believe a fat person that they don't stuff their face because they haven't been down this road, but I have, I am, and I have only found one and only one solution that ever worked. And now that they have brought back Phen and added Top to the mix, I am getting my doc to Rx it for me STAT.
I did get two pieces of advice from the cardiologist I just came from to make sure I am okay for this, and I want to share this with everyone who is reading this who is going to do this regiment to speed up their metabolism and lose weight: (1) Get a baseline echocardiogram BEFORE you start, this will let the cardiologist know if there is any damage now and down-the-line if you present any problems, and repeat them every 6 mts. (2) It has been shown that the least potential for damage is when someone does this Rx regiment for 3 mts and then stops. That isn't to say you can't have a echocardiogram then, make sure things are good, and start up again, but he said those who use it for the least amount of time have better odds of NOT having problems.
So for those who don't have a metabolism problem, especially those who think every fat person is due to gluttony or laziness, you have NO IDEA what the heck you are talking about. As the research has demonstrated, obese especially severely obese people are more likely to have more serious complications like diabetes, heart disease due to hypertension, etc than as a result of taking these medications.
Paul grauber
on
Kim
on
Bernadette Champagne
on
Sarah H.
on
Lisa
on
rebecca
on
Dennis
on
Aimee
on
GG
on
Michael Benz
on
DBO
on
Jack
on
Renee
on
Jean Woods
on
Lydia
on
Ns
on
Cindy
on
Lisa Smith
on
Vicki Watson
on
Dawn Blocker
on
Roman
on
Sherrill
on
Kema
on
Connie Landry
on
Fabienne Springstead
on
BJ
on
Just before it was taken off the market. Have gained back Since. Always in search for the new Phen-fen. Can't find it.
I am on Belviq for month, not like phen-fen at all. Lost about 2# in a month. Can't afford to take this for 2 years.
Anything in Mexico worth looking into ?
Thomas Hiles
on
glen n
on
I took a heart test back then and have since had a tube up my groin to my heart (angiogram?) following an unrelated case of myocarditis and my heart looks in great shape.
I wasn't comfortable needing pills to maintain my weight, BUT I am now taking high blood pressure medicine and anti-inflammatorys for my joints, which I may not need if I was lighter.
I've been tempted to buy it in Mexico, but I don't want to be a sucker and buy something fake. I wish it was back.
Kelli Nerseth
on
andrew
on
Ald
on
holly
on
Mary
on
dee
on
Kim
on
Sharon
on
Rose
on
Lost the weight and kept it off. It was taken from me & all of you who loved it. (Because of some folks that cried wolf-B.S.)
I have gained back what I have lost. I keep trying everyday of my life to lose the weight, doing everything that is out there to do.
Exercise, eating right, lots of H2O. I stay away from sugars & carbs. What the hell am I missing.
I want the fen phen back. Why not.... It worked..
Jules
on
Loretta
on
Rosie May
on
charles a rose
on
if not, can you supply me with a weight program that does work?
Thank you.
Charles A Rose,l PhD
Nicole
on
We were only taking the morning prescription and we felt fine and lost weight.
We were happy so please bring those back, now her daughter is thinking of going for the Bypass operation and tell me what is more dangerous, fen phen or operation.
Stop listening to lawyers they only want to make money and would they take Viagra out? Of course not even if there was problem.
patty cheney
on
Melinda
on
Alisa
on
bill
on
i entered the lawsuit and because i didnt die or have heart problems i was kicked out ot the lawsuit.
i think if the fda would just look at pondimun they wouldnt need to mix it with any other drug for people to lose weight.
Kathy
on
It did work so well
Have tried alternative ways of taking fat off but only one worked
HCG IS AWESOME but so expensive seems like a expensive habit once every 3 months or 2 months depending for weight loss
I am afraid my body prefers to be a size 14 I am sad to say
Weighed in at 195 and know this caused back pain leg and feet pain so I am trying phentermime by itself
I will let you know how it works day 1 was great
Melanie Dacus
on
Rocha
on
I am overweight now, and run, exercise and try to eat healthy but my weight is a pound or so less a month. I have tried several diet pills but none work and it's just a waste of time that I refuse to waste my money on anything out there. I am looking to get a liposuction which will cost over $7000 that I don't have and I can't do because I don't have that money. I am a mom of 6 kids, my skin is pretty elastin and have NO scars but I am a size 13 looking to be at least a size 9 or 7 at the most. I am short therefore the 170 pounds on me are really weighing me down since I run every morning, go to work and then go to college at night. Please bring the Phen Fen pill back or take everything else that has caused a person a problem.
Denise
on
Nikki
on
Deb
on
and other just went crazy. All I took was the one dose in the AM and took out half of the phentermine. That dose alone
worked wonders
Susan Jilek
on
problem was some people were just getting and taking it
without a weekly exam . And they probobly already had a heart issue because they were over weight. Had everyone been monitered they might not of had problems
with it. So if there was something wrong they might have found it sooner.
Laurie Nelson
on
Wendi killian
on
De Michele
on
Carolyn
on
ss
on
So I see there are still problems out there with these drugs, and I so wish I hadn't waited to get into the lawsuit, if I had done it right away I would have gotten a settlement but waiting too long kept me from getting anything. A token payment of $2000 now don't bother us anymore. Not bad enough for surgery but bad enough for lifestyle change.