Valvular Abnormalities and Cardiovascular Status Following Exposure to Dexfenfluramine or Phentermine/Fenfluramine
Article Abstract:
The diet drugs fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine appear to increase the risk of aortic regurgitation but not mitral valve regurgitation or any other heart disease. Aortic and mitral valve regurgitation occur when blood flows backward through the valve. It is a form of heart valve disease. Researches compared the rate of heart valve disease in 1,473 patients, 479 of whom had taken dexfenfluramine and 455 of whom had taken fenfluramine/phentermine. Compared to people who had never taken the diet pills, those who had taken dexfenfluramine had twice the risk of aortic regurgitation and those who had taken fenfluramine/phentermine had three times the risk.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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Clinical and Echocardiographic Follow-up of Patients Previously Treated With Dexfenfluramine or Phentermine/Fenfluramine
Article Abstract:
Heart valve damage from the diet pills dexfenfluramine and phentermine/fenfluramine will not get worse and may even recover once the drugs are stopped. This was the conclusion of a study of 1,142 obese patients who had stopped taking the drugs and had an echocardiogram between one and two years later.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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Cardiac valvulopathy associated with exposure to fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine: US Department of Health and Human Services interim public health recommendations, November 1997
Article Abstract:
The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends medical screening of people who have used the popular appetite suppressants fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. FDA has received reports of at least 113 cases of heart valve disease thought to be related to the diet pills, and the drugs were withdrawn on September 15, 1997. DHHS advises physicians to examine every patient exposed to the drugs. An echocardiogram is recommended for patients with signs or symptoms of valvular disease, and in any patient before invasive procedures.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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