Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Mulligan Law Firm is Investigating Injury Claims: The Weight Loss Drugs Fen-Phen, Pondimin� and Redux� have been Linked to Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)

The Mulligan Law Firm is currently investigating injury claims involving the diet drugs Fen-Phen, Pondimin, and Redux. Withdrawn from the US market in 1997, the damage done by these drugs can be difficult to detect, even many years later. PPH can cause heart failure and death.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) October 23, 2009 -- The Mulligan Law Firm is a national law firm located in Dallas, Texas, providing information and resources for injured individuals and their families in all 50 states. The firm has successfully resolved over $600,000,000 in claims for its clients since 1995.

The Mulligan Law Firm is currently investigating injury claims involving the possible role of the diet drugs Fen-Phen, Pondimin and Redux in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). Someone who has developed PPH after taking Fen-Phen, Pondimin or Redux should consult with a legal professional immediately. Contact Eric Gruenwald, Lawyer at (866) 529-0001, Ext. 245. The Mulligan Law Firm takes all cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means the prospective client does not pay for our services unless an award or compensation is received.

Fen-Phen is a combination drug used in treatment of obesity. It is a combination of two drugs: fenfluramine and phentermine. Not approved by the FDA ("off label"), it was nevertheless widely prescribed as the result of a 1992 article by University of Rochester Pharmacologist Michael Weintraub, which stated that adding phentermine to fenfluramine would counter the negative side-effects of Pondimin and was effective in treatment of obesity (Pondimin and Redux are marketed names for fenfluramine).

In the summer of 1997, Dr. Heidi Connelly of the Mayo clinic published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on fenfluramine-phentermine (Fen-Phen). Valvular heart disease and primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) were identified in 24 women treated with Fen-Phen who had no previous history of heart problems. The patients had been taking Fen-Phen for varying amounts of time; from one month to over two years.

The FDA became involved, and in the days to follow a disturbing find came to light - despite a complete lack of physical symptoms, 30 per cent of the patients then under evaluation had significantly abnormal echocardiograms.

In September of 1997, both Pondimin and Redux were withdrawn from the U.S. market. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the drug's manufacturer over alleged damage the drugs caused.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a lung disorder where the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels. This puts strain on the heart, which has to work much harder to circulate blood through the lungs. Symptoms are tiredness and fatigue, breathing difficulty, fainting spells, or dizziness.

In later stages of the disease there can be swelling of the lower extremities, cyanosis (blue tinged skin), chest pain, and coughing up blood.

About Fen-Phen, Pondimin and Redux
Pondimin (fenfluramine hydrochloride) was an anti-obesity drug marketed by American Home Products (now Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) in 1973.

Redux (dexfenfluramine hydrochloride) was also developed by American Home Products. In 1996, after a $52 million marketing campaign, Pondimin and Redux made $300 million for producer American Home Products.

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