Fen-phen is a diet drug combination consisting of fenfluramine and phentermine. It was widely prescribed off-label as a weight loss aid before being recalled in 1997 after causing heart valve damage in users. While it is no longer prescribed, the story of the Fen-phen diet serves as a reminder about the potential dangers of "magic bullet" weight loss drugs.
History
Fenfluramine was approved as an anorectic drug in 1973. It was first combined with the stimulant phentermine in 1983 to combat depressive side effects, according to PBS Frontline. The combination was later popularized as the "Fen-phen diet" in the 1990s and was widely prescribed across the United States for weight loss.
After repeated reports of valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension in fenfluramine users, the drug was removed from the market in 1997. Phentermine is still available by prescription for treatment-resistant obesity and is not associated with heart and lung damage.
Effects
Phentermine is a stimulant from the amphetamine and phenethylamine classes that works by curbing appetite and speeding metabolism. Fenfluramine acts primarily as an appetite suppressant by increasing serotonin --- a neurochemical that regulates mood and appetite.
The National Institutes of Health states that fenfluramine and phentermine can help promote weight loss, though this effect is often rapidly reversed upon cessation of the drugs.
Health Risks
Due to the recall of fenfluramine in 1997, Fen-phen is no longer available in the US. According to the National Institutes of Health, primary pulmonary hypertension -- a potentially fatal lung condition -- is 30 times more common among users of fenfluramine than in the general population. The drug has also been shown to cause heart valve damage, making Fen-phen a particularly dangerous drug combination.
Additional risks of Fen-phen include serotonin syndrome, cardiac fibrosis and depressive symptoms upon cessation.
Prevention/Solution
The only way to avoid the risks of medications like Fen-phen is to abstain from using them. While phentermine can be helpful for high-risk patients, a healthy diet and regular exercise are usually sufficient to manage weight. Patients using weight loss aides should follow dosing directions carefully and report side effects to their doctors immediately to prevent complications.
Eating naturally healthy foods such as whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and fruits and vegetables helps reduce the amount of calories ingested daily, while regular exercise prevents calories from being stored as fat in the body.
Considerations
Patients who suffer from treatment-resistant weight problems and those at risk for obesity-related health conditions may benefit from phentermine. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of diet drugs to make an informed decision about your weight loss plan.
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