What is “Fen-phen”?
Fen-phen is the popular name for a combination of two weight loss drugs that were prescribed by doctors to control hunger. The “fen” drug was fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine, which went by the brand names Pondimin and Redux. The “phen” drug was phentermine. Like many other weight loss products, these drugs affected seratonin levels in the brain, acting as a mild stimulant and making a person feel full instead of hungry. The demand for fen-phen was so great that doctors were pressured by the public and pharmaceutical companies into prescribing these drugs without much thought for the dangers. Why is the fen-phen combination of drugs dangerous? Two rare cardiopulmonary conditions have been linked to the use of fen-phen. Studies in the U.S. and abroad discovered heart valve damage in a relatively high percentage of long-term fen-phen users, compared to those who took the drugs only for very brief periods or not at all. Heart valve disease occurs when the valves become malformed, making th
Fen-phen refers to the use in combination of fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine. Phentermine has also been used in combination with dexfenfluramine (“dexfen-phen”). Fenfluramine (“fen”) and phentermine (“phen”) are prescription medications that have been approved by the FDA for many years as appetite suppressants for the short-term (a few weeks) management of obesity. Phentermine was approved in 1959 and fenfluramine in 1973. Dexfenfluramine, also known as Redux, was approved in 1996 for use as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity. Recently, some physicians have prescribed fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine in combination with phentermine, often for extended periods of time, for use in weight loss programs. Use of drugs in ways other than described in the FDA-approved label is called “off-label use.” In the case of fen-phen and dexfen-phen, no studies were presented to the FDA to demonstrate either the effectiveness or safety of the drugs taken in combination.
A. Fen-phen refers to the use in combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Phentermine has also been used in combination with dexfenfluramine (“dexfen-phen”). Fenfluramine (“fen”) and phentermine (“phen”) are prescription medications that have been approved by the FDA for many years as appetite suppressants for the short-term (a few weeks) management of obesity. Phentermine was approved in 1959 and fenfluramine in 1973. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) was approved in 1996 for use as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity. Recently, some physicians have prescribed fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine in combination with phentermine, often for extended periods of time, for use in weight loss programs. Use of drugs in ways other than described in the FDA-approved label is called “off-label use.” In the case of fen-phen and dexfen-phen, no studies were presented to the FDA to demonstrate either the effectiveness or safety of the drugs taken in combination.
