Why was Fen-Phen taken off the market?

Losing weight isn’t easy, especially without the dangerous, but actually effective weight-loss drug Fen-Phen, which the FDA pulled from shelves in 1997 due to concerns about damage the drug was doing to patients’ heart valves.

Is Fen-Phen available?

Fen-phen is no longer widely available.

What are the side effects of Fen-Phen?

Symptoms of Fen-Phen
  • Swollen ankles and legs.
  • Bluish color of the lips or skin (cyanosis)
  • Chest pain or pressure, usually in the front of the chest.
  • Dizziness or fainting spells.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weakness.
  • Increased abdomen size.

Why was Fen-Phen taken off the market? – Related Questions

What over the counter diet pill is similar to phentermine?

Five Most Popular Phentermine Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products
  • PhenGold :The Overall Best Alternative to Phentermine.
  • PhenQ :Top Multi-Action Phentermine Substitute.
  • Phen24 :Top Metabolism-Boosting Phentermine Alternative.
  • TrimTone :The Best Natural Phentermine Diet Pills for Women.

Can phentermine damage your heart?

The main cardiovascular adverse effects are palpitations, mild tachycardia and elevated blood pressure. Cardiovascular contraindications for the use of phentermine are a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension.

How many people were affected by Fen-Phen?

Some six million people took the diet drugs Pondimin, American Home Products’ brand name for fenfluramine, the ”fen” in fen-phen, and Redux, a similar drug. The drugs were hailed earlier in the decade as miracle pills for obesity, as an alternative to pure diet and exercise.

Why do dentists ask about Phen Fen?

The concern for dental professionals is determining who has taken Fen-Phen and who is at risk for such valve damage. It means we must not only ask patients what drugs they currently are taking, but what drugs they have taken in the past and how long they took the drugs.

Is fenfluramine still available?

What Is Pondimin? Pondimin (fenfluramine hydrochloride) is an anorectic drug used to manage exogenous obesity as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction. The brand name Pondimin is discontinued in the U.S., but generic versions may be available.

What is fenfluramine prescribed for?

Fenfluramine is used alone or with other medicines (eg, stiripentol, clobazam) to treat seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). This medicine is available only under a restricted distribution program called Fintepla® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program.

Where can I get fenfluramine?

Because of the risks with this medication, fenfluramine is available only through a special restricted distribution program. A program called Fintepla Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program. You, your doctor, and your pharmacy must be enrolled in the Fintepla REMS program before you can receive it.

Who should not use phentermine?

Phentermine is one of the most prescribed weight-loss medicines. But it isn’t a good choice for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland or glaucoma. It also isn’t for people who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

What is the generic fenfluramine?

Fenfluramine is the generic name (non-brand name) of a seizure medicine with the brand name Fintepla® from Zogenix.

How much does fenfluramine cost?

Prices for Fintepla (fenfluramine) start at just $17874.68 with a GoodRx coupon.

How much does Plenity cost per month?

Intended use: Plenity is an FDA-cleared weight loss aid for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 40 kg/m. It was designed to make you feel fuller sooner during your meal. Cost: A Plenity subscription, which requires a prescription, costs $98 for a four-week supply, which works out to $1.75 per meal.

What is generic phentermine called?

Phentermine (Adipex-P) is not a first-choice medication for weight management because of side effects and the risk of abuse. It can be used short term if other similar medications haven’t worked.

What stimulant is most like phentermine?

Many people who want to lose weight choose a phentermine alternative over the prescription medication. Adipex and Lomaira are two of the best known phentermine alternatives. Both are available on the market and can be purchased online. In the United States, Adipex is the most common brand of phentermine diet pills.

Why does phentermine work so well?

It works by activating your sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system, so it’s called a “sympathomimetic” drug or “stimulant.” Phentermine may help lower your appetite, so people who take phentermine tend to eat less.

How long can you stay on phentermine?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited treatment to 12 weeks or less. By contrast, when the FDA approved a new brand-named combination medication, Phentermine/Topiramate-CR (Qsymia), in 2012, it was for long-term use for a year or more.

What happens if you take phentermine for years?

The study found that people who stayed on phentermine longer experienced greater weight loss than those who took the drug for three months or less, and longer-term use was not associated with increases in blood pressure or increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death.