Fen-Phen Lawsuit

Fen-Phen Lawsuits: What is Fen-Phen?

Fen-Phen, the brand name for Phentermine, is a drug used for a limited period of time to accelerate weight loss in obese people. The drug combines phenetermine, dexfenfluramine or Pondimin to suppress appetite.
Fen-Phen should be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and regimented exercise program. Fen-Phen is part of a class of medications known as anorectics. Ultimately, it is effective by decreasing the user’s appetite.

Fen-Phen comes in tablet and extended-release capsule form. It should be taken as a single daily dose or three times a day before meals. The majority of Fen-Phen users take the drug for 3-6 weeks; the dosage period is dependent on how the user responds to the medication. To avoid serious Fen-Phen side effects or habit-forming characteristics, Fen-Phen should only be taken as directed.

Fen-Phen Lawsuits:

Fen-Phen lawsuits are filed by users who experience associated Fen-Phen side effects. A Fen-Phen lawsuit is initiated to compensate for the injuries or medical conditions inflicted on the user as a result of Fen-Phen use. More specifically, Fen-Phen lawsuits—primarily the successful Fen-Phen settlements (one’s that secure a Fen-Phen settlement)—will prove that the drug caused a condition, disease or injury not cited in the drug’s warning label. The bulk of Fen-Phen lawsuits stem from the results of a 1996 clinical finding, which linked the drug to the development of a mitral valve dysfunction.

Following this report—and the death of a 30-year-old Fen-Phen user, the United States Food and Drug Administration alerted medical professionals that it received nine additional reports of the same variety. The FDA then received over a hundred additional reports citing valvular heart disease in users of Fen-Phen. The FDA asked the manufacturer of Fen-Phen to stress these potential risks in patient package inserts and directly on the drugs’ package.

Fen-Phen is no longer widely available in the United State--following additional reports of pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease (primarily in female users), the FDA requested that Fen-Phen be removed from the market. Upon the release of this request, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America formed a group to initiate a massive Fen-Phen lawsuit. This massive Fen-Phen lawsuit seeks a Fen-Phen settlement for the damages associated with the drug’s adverse reactions. The Fen-Phen lawsuit is filed against American Home Products and the distributor of the drug.

Since April of 2005, over 50,000 product liability Fen-Phen lawsuits have been filed by alleged victims of the drug--estimates of total liability from these Fen-Phen lawsuits total up to $14 billion. As of February of 2005, the drug’s manufacturer was still negotiating the expected Fen-Phen lawsuits with injured users, offering Fen-Phen settlements between $5,000 to $200,000. The majority of victims rejected these Fen-Phen settlements, citing a severe underestimation of their medical expenses and pain and suffering. During this time, Wyeth—the drug’s manufacturer—announced that it had set aside $21.1 billion to cover the costs of Fen-Phen lawsuits.

The bulk of these Fen-Phen lawsuits are filed by users of the drug who developed primary pulmonary hypertension. These Fen-Phen lawsuits are currently still being filed, demonstrating that the harm caused by the drug can surface many years after an individual discontinues use.

Before seeking a Fen-Phen settlement you must first understand the dangers associated with application—serious Fen-Phen side effects, including the development of pulmonary heart disease, many not appear until 10 or 20 years after initial consumption.

Fen-Phen Side Effects:

If used improperly the chances of displaying Fen-Phen side effects will increase. Regardless of how the adverse reactions formed, you should call your medical provider or doctor immediately after noticing Fen-Phen side effects. Common Fen-Phen side effects include the following:

• Fen-Phen side effects include dry mouth

• Unpleasant taste in mouth is a common Fen-Phen side effect

• Fen-Phen side effects include diarrhea

• Constipation is a common Fen-Phen side effect

• Vomiting may be experienced as a common Fen-Phen side effect

Some Fen-Phen side effects may be more severe. If you experience the following symptoms, please contact your doctor:

• Severe Fen-Phen side effects include increased blood pressure

• Heart palpitations, dizziness and restlessness are regarded as severe Fen-Phen side effects

• The development of a tremor, chest pains and swelling of the legs and ankles are deemed serious Fen-Phen side effects

• Chest pains and shortness of breath are regarded as severe Fen-Phen side effects

• Swelling of the ankles and legs are deemed severe Fen-Phen side effects

• Difficulty maintain your life or doing exercises that you once deemed routine are classified as severe Fen-Phen side effects.

Other Fen-Phen side effects may be observed. Please contact your doctor if you experience any unusual problems or Fen-Phen side effects during your treatment. If you experience severe Fen-Phen side effects, you or your medical professional should send a detailed report to the United States Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program via phone at 1-800-332-1088 or online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch.

Fen-Phen FDA Warnings:

Because Fen-Phen was removed from the U.S> market, the FDA does not institute current warnings or label requirements on the drug’s maker. The FDA, based on new evidence that revealed 30 percent of patients to possess abnormal echocardiograms—a special procedure that tests the function of the heart valves.

Review of Fen-Phen Lawsuit History:

Fen-Phen lawsuits began in September of 1997 when American Home Products Corporation issued a nation-wide recall of the drug in response to a formal FDA request. The recall resulted in the filing of over 11,000 Fen-Phen lawsuits being filed against the company. The majority of patients seeking Fen-Phen settlements sought compensation to recoup the losses associated with pain and suffering for the development of irreversible pulmonary heart disease. The class-action Fen-Phen lawsuit cost the company over $4.8 billion.

In January of 2005, Wyeth (formerly American Home Products) announced it would increase it’s Fen-Phen settlement fund to $21.1 billion. Medical experts, in Fen-Phen lawsuits, have testified a potential latency of 10 to 20 years from the final dosage of the pill until the onset of Fen-Phen side effects. As a result, many users who took the drug over 10 years ago are now just beginning to realize adverse reactions. Cardiologists, in response to this finding, urge former users to visit their medical professionals to be screened for primary pulmonary hypertension or valvular heart disease.
It is vital to educate yourself on your legal rights.

The chronic nature of Fen-Phen side effects can lead to significant healthcare bills, lost wages from missed work and pain and suffering. If you have suffered an injury as a result of Fen-Phen-use, you may be entitled to a Fen-Phen settlement for pain and suffering or a wrongful death. Informing a product liability lawyer, a drug lawyer or a personal injury lawyer will bolster efficiency and effectiveness; the acquisition of a legal professional will bolster your odds of securing a Fen-Phen settlement.

Sources:

1.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1997, November 13) FDA Drug Safety Communication:

Fen-Phen Interim Safety Recommendations. Retrieved from:

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm072820.htm

2.U.S. National Library of Medicine. Phentermine, retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000605/

3.^ Nelson DL, Gehlert DR (February 2006).

"Central nervous system biogenic amine targets for control of appetite and energy expenditure". Endocrine 29 (1): 49–60.

4.http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm179871.html