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Fen Phen was a weight loss drug that the FDA asked be withdrawn from the market in 1997 because of heart-related injuries and deaths. Fen Phen is a combination of

fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, and was the third most widely used medicine for weight loss and to control obesity. Although there were few symptoms, 30 percent of patients taking the medication had abnormal echocardiograms.

An abnormal echocardiogram indicates that there could be problems with the heart. There were also hundreds of reports of people who took Fen Phen acquiring a rare heart valve disease. The FDA continues to receive reports today of people with heart disease related to Fen Phen.

Because of the risks posed by obesity, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer, people began taking weight loss supplements in order to lost weight. Appearances also came into play; people wanted to look thin while feeling healthy. However, dangerous weight loss supplements, like Fen Phen, flooded the market.

Fen Phen can severely damage heart valves to the point of needing costly and risky surgery. Also, primary pulmonary hypertension, also linked to Fen Phen, cannot be cured. But, because of Fen Phen’s results in fighting obesity and achieving weight loss results, doctors began prescribing Fen Phen without the drug gaining approval from the FDA.

If you were injured because of Fen Phen, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your rights and options.