What Happened After Patients Stopped Taking Fen-Phen?
Two studies find that after patients stopped taking various combinations of the appetite suppressants dexfenfluramine and phentermine, most heart valve abnormalities that may have developed do not get worse and some improve. Researchers studied 50 patients who had taken various combinations of fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine and phentermine for a mean of 64 weeks and were found to have heart valve regurgitation, or leaking valves (Article, p. 261). At least 100 days after therapy ended, the diseased valves in most patients had improved or remained stable. Another study comparing overweight people who had taken dexfenfluramine alone for two or three months found that one year after stopping the diet drugs, in some patients with leaking valves, regurgitation diminished and in no cases did it become more serious (Article, p. 267). An editorial says that these findings are important for physicians considering valve surgery for some patients (Editorial, p. 335). The editorial says that even t
