Fen-Phen Heart Damage

A recent study has found that fenfluramine, part of the Fen-Phen obesity drug that was banned in 1997, is still causing health problems in former users. The dangerous medication was linked to heart damage, and people who have stopped using the drug may have damaged heart valves up to seven years later.

Researcher Charles Dahl from the Central Utah Clinic studied the hearts of 5,743 former fenfluramine users. He said that valve problems were common in people exposed to fenfluramines, particularly women. The valves ensure proper blood flow through the heart.

A news release on the study said that the risk of heart-valve surgery was seven times higher for people who took Fen-Phen. Since its withdrawal from the U.S. market, it has been reported that tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the drug’s manufacturers.