Phen-Fen

The rise and fall of phen-fen weight loss

And though Fat Loss 4 Idiots (lose 40 lbs with Calorie Shifting ) recommends them as a supervised medical intervention, it falls in as among the last resort. Generally before this phen-fen weight loss revolution, weight loss medications were not highly sort for due to bad reputation that previous habit forming and side effect laden drugs had. 

However the cocktail, "off-label" co-administration drug proved to be a hyped fad when within one year the Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) of the U.S requested for the voluntary withdrawal of both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. This brought phen-fen to a screeching halt. 

The idea of phen-fen weight loss was probably first postulated by Michael Weintrab a pharmacologist, University of Rochester. He reckoned that combining fenfluramine with phentermine would counter the effect of the moderately effective but side effect laden fenfluramine. One study found the cocktail resulting to an astounding 32 pound weight loss an average. 

In 1992, Weintraub and colleagues published a study citing phen-fen as more effective method than dieting or exercises in reducing chronic obesity. They alluded that the combination seemed to have no immediate side effects. 

In 1996, the FDA was to approve dexfenfluramine. And though they never approved phen-fen, the approval of dexfen catapulted the "off-label" prescription of the phen-fen cocktail. Phentrmine weight loss pills were prescribed together with fenfluramine pills like Pondimin or dexfen pills like Redux . 

Reviews and reprints of the study on phen-fen miracle appeared every where. 'Allure', a women's magazine; 'Readers Digest', the most read magazine; and even 'Wall Street Journal' had something to say. 'Time' magazine featured the drug as "The New Miracle Drug?" 

It is believed sales of Pondimin and Redux grossed 300 million in 1996 only. The Wall Street Journal projected that the drugs would gross one billion in the next few years for American Human Products. The company has since changed its name to Wyeth. 

Before Fen and Dexfen were withdrawn it is believed over 18 millions prescription had been written.

The effect of combining the two drug had the advantage cited by Weintraub. The cocktail kept patients in a better mood, keeping them longer on phentrmine. It also possibly increased the potency of phentermine increasing the sense of fullness and hence greater weight loss. 

The cocktail weight loss drugs seemed also to stimulate production as well as inhibit the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin increase reduces appetite. Unfortunately the two drugs had an additive effect leading to very high and toxic levels of serotonin in the blood. 

It is postulated that these serotonin adversely affect the valves in the heart that control blood flow. Evidently these valves have receptors sensitive to serotonin. Toxic levels as those caused by phen-fen, result to the weakening of these valves which causes heart valve disease. This condition would develop to require risky surgical intervention. 

It was estimated that 30% of user’s of phen-fen would have abnormal results with an echocardiogram a test for normal heart function. Other quarters are more conservative and put the risk at 17% and further associate it with a genetic pre-disposition to develop heart valve disease. 

The downward spiral of phen-fen cocktail did not stop there. The "off-label" combination was linked to an often fatal pulmonary hypertention. The excess serotonin in blood seemed to cause lesions in the lung tissue, making it a difficult to breath. Symptoms of serotonin toxicity include decreased tolerance to exercise, swelling of feet and lower legs, fatigue and chest pains. 

In September 15 1997, both Dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenflurmine (Pondimin) were voluntarily withdrawn from the market. Phentermine, the second half of phen-fen continues to be sold to this day. 

By the turn of the century, the newspapers were still carrying stories on product liability suits and settlement for damage by the manufacturers of these drugs. In 2003 Forbes reported Wyeth to have paid 13 bilion in claims related to Redux and Pondimin. 

Drugs can be used as support structures in a diet plan. But they are not the only support structures available even for the morbidly obese. Weigh loss support structures are identified by Fat Loss 4 Idiots (lose 40 lbs with Calorie Shifting ) , as one of the top 4 reasons you fail in losing weight. To learn more on support structures; In the next page, you learn about Calorie Shifting  You will discover;

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