STATES:
AL AK AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Canada International

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.

Arthur M. Blue Law Office, P.A., Personal Injury lawyers, Carthage & Southern Pines, North Carolina - (910) 947-1500

Brady, Nordgren, Morton & Malone, Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate, Raleigh, NC - (919) 782-3500

Breakstone, White-Lief & Gluck, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Boston, MA - (617) 723-7676

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

Coover & Barr, LLC, Business, Commercial & Corporate Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate, Columbia, MD - (410) 997-7600

Robert B. Corris, S.C., Complex Business Litigation, Fraud, Contacts - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 414-272-8000

James T. Crouse, Aviation Disaster & Personal Injury Lawyer, Raleigh, NC - (919) 861-0503

Neil A. Davis, Family Law, Personal Injury Law, Troy, Michigan - (248) 244-9677

Belluck Fox, New York lawyers practicing Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury such as Meridia, Kava, Mesothelioma, Asbestos, Silicosis, Crestor - New York, NY - 1-866-6ACTION

Martin Ganderson, Estate Planning, Trusts, Elder Law, Norfolk, VA - (757) 622-0505

Garlin Driscoll & Murray, Personal Injury, Business Litigation, Louisville / Boulder, CO - (303) 926-4222

Glenn, Mills & Fisher, P.A., Personal Injury, Professional Malpractice, Employment Discrimination, Civil Rights, Wills and Estates, Durham, NC, 919-683-2135

Ted A. Greve & Associates, Auto & Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death, Mass Torts, Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation, Immigration, North Carolina & South Carolina - (800) 984-7383

Jeremy Howe & Partners in Mediation, Attorney at Law, Mediation, Newport, Rhode Island - (401) 841-5700

Kohn & Rath, Personal Injury lawyers, Hinesburg, Vermont - (802) 482-2905

The Offices of George W. Lennon, Workers Compensation, Social Security Disability, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Raleigh, NC - (919) 856-9000

Lichtenstein, Fishwick & Johnson, P.L.C., Personal Injury lawyers, Roanoke, Virginia - (540) 343-9711

Marks & Harrison, Personal Injury Lawyers, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death, Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation, Consumer Fraud, Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville, VA - (800) 283-2202

MedLaw Legal Team, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Nursing Home Abuse, Cancer MisDiagnosis, Drugs - Serving the U.S., Offices in Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Philadelphia PA - (410) 653-9030

MGM Law Offices - Personal Injury, Bankruptcy Lawyers, Debt Solutions, Credit Card Consolidation Attorneys, Traffic Accidents, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, Indiana - (800) 850-0398

Munley, Munley & Cartwright - Personal Injury Lawyers, Workers Compensation, Social Security - Scranton / Wilkes-Barre - All of Pennsylvania - (800) 346-7401

The New York Bar Association's - Law Practice Management Forum - New York, New York

New York Medical Malpractice Lawyers - Oshman & Mirisola handles medical malpractice / negligence, accident & injury claims; New York Personal Injury cases including, prescription drug litigation, brain injury and birth injury lawsuits including Erb’s Palsy and Cerebral Palsy - 1(800) 400-8182

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

Poyner & Spruill, L.L.P., Multi-disciplinary, Raleigh, Charlotte & Rocky Mount, North Carolina - (919) 783-6400

Rosen & Rosen, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, Nursing Home Abuse, Hollywood, FL - (954) 981-1852

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

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

Teague & Glover, Personal Injury 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

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

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

Paul L. Whitfield, Personal Injury lawyer, Charlotte, North Carolina - (704) 372-8322

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

Other state listings are listed above

State Listings - Lawyers

Alabama | Arkansas | Arizona | California | Colorado | Connecticut | DC Washington | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Iowa | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Massachusetts | Maryland | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Mississippi | Montana | North Carolina | North Dakota | Nebraska | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | Nevada | New York |  Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Virginia | Vermont | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia | Wyoming | Canada | International

Fen-Phen General Interest Web Links

Diet 2000Hotline - Diet 2000 Hotline Thanks to all who participated in USA TODAY`s Diet 2000 Hotline with the American Dietetic Association. Dietitians discuss high-protein diets, fen-phen replacement Talk about diet and fitness

FDA ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF FENFLURAMINE AND DEXFENFLURAMINE

FDA Announces Withdrawal Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen)

The New England Journal of Medicine

Fen Phen Newsletter

Fen-Phen, obesity, and fitness issues

Fen-Phen Chat room

Fighting for Victims of Fen-Phen

Fen-Phen Frequently Asked Questions

Heart Failure

Lawsuits: Drug development's side effect - Jan. 11, 2000 Lawsuits: Drug development`s side effect By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY

Weight-Loss Drugs