Phen-Fen
and
Dexfen-Phen a cocktail of fenflurmine or
dexfenfluramines with phentermine
respectively become an overnight sensation in the U.S in the mid
1990’s.
And
unlike Caralluma,
a diet supplement, weight loss drugs
are recommends as a supervised
medical intervention; and they fall 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.
Phen-Fen Pictures:
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Fen and Dexfen were withdrawn it is believed over 18 millions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 Fall of Phen-Fen
The fall of phen-fen looked imminent when Mayo
Clinic reported 24 cases
of heart valve disease associated with the prescription.
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. For
example Caralluma
is an effective diet supplement for some
people. And unlike weight loss drugs, it requires no prescription.
Equally important is that they can more safer and as well as
more
effective than drugs.
However,
if you want to lose alot of body fat; if you want to lose
belly fat
and get a flat stomach or even a six pack, you will need more that a
drug or supplements. You will also need to Go Beyond Calories.
To do this you need two things, just two. These two are...
This
content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new information on weight loss becomes
available. The information is intended for
educational purposes only. Please
consult your healthcare provider before beginning
any kind of weight loss program
