Fen-Phen was a combination of the prescription drugs fenfluramine and phentermine. In the 1990s, Fen-Phen was widely prescribed as a weight loss aid, though fenfluramine was later recalled after causing serious heart and lung problems in several patients. The Fen-Phen diet usually referred to taking the drug in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Learning about the two pills that made up the Fen-Phen diet can help people understand the risks of such drugs.
History
Fenfluramine was introduced in the United States in 1973. It was sometimes used for weight loss, but never gained popularity due to its negative effects on mood. In 1983, the drug was combined with the stimulant phentermine to help counteract side effects. The combination of the two drugs grew in popularity in the 1990s despite never being officially approved for weight loss.
Fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market in 1997 after reports of serious cardiovascular and lung problems. Since then, billions of dollars have been rewarded to patients damaged by Fen-Phen, with the drug's manufacturer paying over $13 billion in damages, according to PBS "Frontline."
Ingredients
The Fen-Phen diet consisted of the drugs fenfluramine and phentermine in combination with dietary changes and exercise. Fenfluramine is a sympathomimetic amine that affects serotonin levels in the body, resulting in appetite suppression. Phentermine, which belongs to the amphetamine and phenethylamine classes, speeds heart rate and increases alertness in a manner similar to amphetamines and other stimulants.
Uses/Indications
While it was never approved by the FDA for weight loss, Fen-Phen was prescribed off-label for this purpose by doctors all over the country. The appetite suppression and metabolic stimulation of the combined drugs was viewed as an easy way to jump-start weight loss in patients who had failed to lose weight on other plans.
While fenfluramine has been withdrawn from the market, phentermine is still prescribed occasionally to treat weight problems in severely obese patients.
Adverse Effects
Any potential benefits of Fen-Phen were overshadowed by its side effects, which were sometimes life-threatening. The "New England Journal of Medicine" states in its Aug. 28, 1997, edition that patients taking fenfluramine experienced adverse cardiovascular effects like cardiac fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Severe heart valve damage occurred in several healthy patients taking Fen-Phen, resulting in the need for heart transplantation and other invasive surgeries. Without treatment, both primary pulmonary hypertension and cardiac fibrosis can be fatal.
Common side effects of Fen-Phen included rapid heartbeat, nervousness, tremor, dry mouth and dizziness. The drug also carried a risk of psychological side effects like depression and anxiety.
Considerations
While Fen-Phen is no longer available in the United States, the lessons learned from the Fen-Phen diet craze can serve as a warning about future "miracle" diet drugs. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the only methods proven safe and effective for long-term weight management.
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