Fen Phen
If you are one of the many who took Fen-Phen in hopes that it would aid you in losing weight but instead suffered from dangerous side effects, you are not alone. This drug was recalled in 1997, because of the dangerous side effects people started to have from taking it. When Fen-Phen was originally manufactured and marketed, people were astounded at the results it seemed to have in helping people lose weight with some even calling it a miracle drug. Yet the weight-loss drug had negative side effects, including death.
The negative side effects started to happen to people who were a part of a study. These people, some of whom had been taking Fen-Phen for as little as one month, began to show problems such as cardiovascular conditions. Many others began to come forward with how Fen-Phen had negatively affected them in some way or another. Amongst the most serious of side effects from taking Fen-Phen was those who developed Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, or PPH. With no cure in sight for this horrible disease, PPH claims the lives of over 100 people just in the United States alone every year. Those who took Fen-Phen were 25 time more likely to develop PPH than those who did not.
The side effects from taking Fen-Phen can vary in severity from just annoying to fatal. Some of the more common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, dizziness, confusion, sweating, problems with urination such as going more frequently, changes in your libido, mood swings, rash, muscle pain and changes in your blood pressure. These are just a few of the problems that have been experienced by people who have taken Fen-Phen. More serious side effects that have affected Fen-Phen users include damaging of the heart valves or valvular heart disease, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, and some neuropsychological problems. Some patients whose heart valves were damaged had to endure surgery or surgeries in order for them to be replaced. Those who suffered from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension are usually directed to take medications, but there were a few cases in which the patient had to have a transplant of the heart and lungs. Besides these serious side effects, several patients died from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension , as a result of having taken Fen-Phen. These medical conditions also gave the patient symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, complaints of chest pain and edema or swelling of the hands and feet.
Along with these side effects, there were also the neuropsychological problems that Fen-Phen users had. These include, but are not limited to, extreme behavioral changes, rapid mood swings, depression, hallucinations, delusions and an overall sense of confusion. The patient may have been able to concentrate or hold a simple conversation.
Those who have suffered from taking the drug Fen-Phen you are entitled to compensation for your suffering. Considering how severe some of the side effects are, you have probably had to have some sort of medical attention including doctor's exams, scans or other tests or treatments. You may also have had to take medications to deal with the side effects of having taken Fen-Phen. In this case you may be able to get compensation for all that you had to pay out for these services. There are ongoing lawsuits against the makers of Fen-Phen, in which other users who have been injured from using this drug have come together to seek restitution. If you have experienced negative side effects from having taken Fen-Phen, you may benefit from having a lawyer on your side to help you through this difficult time. Enlisting the help of an experienced lawyer can have many advantages. Besides being able to come to the lawyer with any additional concerns or questions you may have in regards to your rights the lawyer knows all the ins and outs of the systems, so they are able to speed the process up and help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
