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If you took fen-phen or redux for more than three months and experienced any adverse reactions such as shortness of breath, chest pain or unusual fatigue, you may have a valid legal claim.  The Federal Drug Administration and the American Board of Cardiology recommend an echocardiogram to detect for the possibility of medical problems if you meet this criteria.

Fen-phen is the name of the drug containing either pondimin (fenfluramine) or redux (dexfenfluramine), and taken in combination with phentermine (an amphetimine-like drug), prescribed for weight loss. Weight-loss drugs are called anorexiants.

In July of 1997, the FDA requested that fen-phen, and derivations of fen-phen, be recalled. Unfortunately, it may be only now that those who took took fen-phen may be experiencing medical conditions associated with the drug.

Fen-phen alters the levels of serotonin in the brain that which alert us to hunger. By affecting these serotonin levels, fen-phen can cause primary pulmonary hypertension, heart valve problems, and neuropsychological damage to the brain.  Heart failure occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump enough blood through the body.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) results in the progressive narrowing of the blood vessels of the lungs. This causes  high blood pressure in these vessels and can lead to heart failure. Studies show that treatment with some appetite suppressant drugs may increase the risk of developing PPH from 1 to 28 cases (per million persons treated in one year).  Symptoms may include:

• Ankle swelling
• Bluish lips and skin
• Chest pain
• Dizziness, fainting, and weakness
• Excessive fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Heart Valve Problems

When the aortic and mitral valves are impaired, blood may be regurgitated into the ventricle and left atrium. The symptoms of heart valve disease are often subtle: fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain. Treatment can include medication, surgical repair of the damaged heart valves and/or heart valve replacement surgery. Long term heart monitoring and medication is the norm.

Neuropsychological Damage

Neuropsychological damage is difficult to diagnose. If you have any indication of neuropsychological damage, you should consult a neuro-specialist.  Symptoms may include behavioral changes, cognitive disturbance, depression, memory loss, and / or mood swings.

Patients who took Redux, Pondimin, or phen-fen for more than three months should have a thorough cardiovascular exam, including an echocardiogram. Many who had valvular abnormalities had been taking multiples of the recommended dosages. Others were also taking Prozac, an antidepressant which increases serotonin and intensifies effects of diet drugs.

Product liability, medical malpractice and negligence  lawsuits are guided by personal injury laws.  The primary aim of personal injury law is to provide relief through compensation to injured parties  for the damages incurred.  Among the types of recoverable damages are: loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and reasonable medical expenses.  Damages include both present and future expected losses.

• Product Liability: Defective products such as prescription drugs, which are not properly labeled as to interactions or other contraindications.  Your attorney can evaluate your legal rights and advise you of possible compensation.
• Professional Malpractice:  Medical malpractice or negligence may involve delay in treatment or incorrect treatment or missed diagnosis. Your lawyer can protect your rights and represent your interests.
• Wrongful death: Fatal injuries due to negligence or other liability may bring compensation to heirs or the estate. Seek legal counsel before the statute of limitations becomes an issue.

The Food and Drug Administration, has asked the manufacturers to voluntarily withdraw both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine 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.  

American Home Products Corp. of Madison, N.J. also manufactured and marketed fenfluramine under the brand name Pondimin. Both companies agreed to voluntarily withdraw their drugs.

The FDA did not request the withdrawal of phentermine, another widely used medication used for treatment of obesity.

If you have neurological damage or heart failure after or during use of fen-phen or redux,  the maker or manufacturer of the drug may be liable for compensation to you. Your lawyer can counsel you as to your  right to recover damages to help defray the costs of treatment and provide compensation for your pain and suffering.

Drug litigation can be extremely complex, so be sure to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney with experience in this field of law.

If you feel that you are having a reaction to any drug, stop the drug immediately and call your physician. 

Prior to accepting an insurance settlement, it is wise to speak with a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your situation and to ensure that your best interests are protected.  Most personal injury attorneys provide free initial consultations and most will only be paid if you win your case and receive a judgment.   Most frequently, personal injury attorneys will receive a percentage of the settlement awarded to you.  Legal advice can save you time, trouble and money and can insure that you are treated fairly.

Personal Injury Attorney Web Links

Consultwebs.com can assist in making recommendations if desired.

New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyers - NY Biker Injury Attorneys, Belluck & Fox. 1-877-LEGAL03

New York, NY Accident Lawyer - David Resnick & Associates, PC handling car accidents, slip & fall, construction accidents, and personal injury claims in NYC.

Orange County Personal Injury Lawyers - Southern California - U.S., Nielsen & Associates, Personal Injury and Disability, including Auto Accidents, Social Security Disability, Workers Compensation, Neck Injuries, Dog Bites, Back Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Premises Liability, Lemon Law, Orange County, Southern California (866)-815-2616

The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt, Bankruptcy and Debt Relief, Raleigh, NC - 1-888-610-2442

PA Personal Injury Lawyers - All of Pennsylvania - (800) 778-1380

Petersburg VA Personal Injury Lawyers – Cuthbert Law Offices handling motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and social security claims.

Philadelphia Accident Lawyers - Pennsylvania Car & Truck Accident Attorneys. Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C. - 1(800) 346-7401

Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers – Hardison & Associates: North Carolina Attorneys handling Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Compensation. 1(800)434-8399

Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer – Rosen & Rosen - Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, Nursing Home Abuse, Hollywood, FL.

Paul A. Samakow, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers, Vienna, VA - (703) 761-4343, Wheaton, MD - (301) 949-1515

San Antonio, TX Disability Attorney – Heard & Smith: Probate, Estate Planning, Social Security Disability. 1(800)584-3700

Schuylkill Personal Injury Lawyers - All of Pennsylvania - (800) 778-1380

Smith, Debnam, Personal Injury lawyers, Raleigh, North Carolina - (919) 250-2000

Paul J. Tafelski, P.C., Criminal Defense, Bloomfield Hills, MI - (248) 647-0404

Teague & Glover, P.A., Personal Injury, Criminal Defense lawyers, Elizabeth City, North Carolina - 252-335-0878

Teddy & Meekins, Personal Injury Attorneys, Shelby, NC - serving Cleveland, Rutherford and Lincoln counties - Phone 704-487-1234

Truck Accident Lawyers - Physician | Nurse Attorneys, Baltimore Maryland, Washington DC, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Columbia SC - Servicing the U.S. - 1-888-4-MEDLAW

Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau, P.A., Personal Injury lawyers, Raleigh, North Carolina - (919) 828-4357

Charles R. Ullman & Associates, Attorneys at Law, Family Law - Divorce, Child Support, Spousal Support, Child Custody, Johnston County & Raleigh, NC, 919-829-1006

Brinkley Walser, PLLC, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Workers Compensation, Wrongful Death, Elder Law, Banking Law, Traffic Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law, Medical Malpractice, Family Law, Lexington, NC - (336) 249-2101

Warfield Meredith & Darrah, P.C., Personal Injury lawyers, Severna Park, Maryland - 410-544-1020

Washington D.C. Personal Injury Lawyer – The Abelson Law Firm: Washington, D.C. Medical Malpractice Attorney, Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer, Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys.

Washington Injury by Brett & Coats, PLLC, Bellingham WA Personal Injury lawyers, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Accidents, Product Liability, Cross Border Claims Lawyers - Bellingham, WA - (360) 733-0212

Washington Injury - Accidents & Collisions, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Insurance Law, Sexual Harassment, Bellingham, WA - (800) 925-1875

White & Allen, P.A., Commercial Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning, Health Care, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Criminal Law, Kinston and Snow Hill, NC - (252) 527-8000

Law Offices of John C. Wunsch, Erb's Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, Birth Personal Injury, Chicago, IL - (312) 977-9900

The Yarborough Law Firm, Construction Law, Administrative Law, Personal Injury cases, Real Estate Matters, Corporate and Business matters, Employment Law and Collections, Fayetteville, NC, 910-433-4433

Younce & Vtipil, Personal Injury Lawyers - Asbestos, Pharmaceutical Litigation, Product Liability, Workplace Injury, Social Security Disability, Raleigh, NC - (919) 661-9000