Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a deadly lung disorder that can lead to heart failure. It is also known as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
What is PPH/PAH?
During the 1990's, millions of Americans regularly took the "miracle" weight-loss drug Fen-Phen - a combination of two drugs, fenfleuramine and phentermine, sold under two different brand names; Pondimin and Redux. The manufacturer, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, (formerly known as American Home Products Corporation) marketed the drug as a low-risk, effective, painless way to lose weight. What they didn't tell the public was that dozens of people had died because the drug had caused a disease called PPH. Only a study by the prestigious Mayo Clinic forced the drug company to stop selling this dangerous product.
The rare, incurable, and sometimes fatal disease known as primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) causes the blood vessels in the lungs to constrict. As a result, blood pressure builds in the pulmonary artery between the heart and the lungs, making breathing difficult and causing exhaustion, fainting, chest pain, and heart irregularity. Ultimately, PPH can lead to heart failure.
In September, 1997 the Food & Drug Administration suggested a nationwide Pondimin and Redux recall because of extremely high rates of PPH and other diseases among users of the drug. Sadly, many of these cases could have been prevented. While the drug companies stalled to avoid responsibility for their actions, the Fen-Phen victim toll continued to rise. New cases appear to this day, even among people who haven't used the drug for 10 or more years.
The company which manufactured these drugs has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to people who developed PPH or PAH after taking Fen-Phen, Pondimin and Redux. PPH or PAH may be progressive, and often symptoms do not appear for years after taking the drug. You may still have a claim despite the length of time since you ingested the diet drugs.
Symptoms May Include:
- Progressive shortness of breath with minimal activity
- Chest Pain
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Coughing up blood
- Ankle Swelling
- Blue Tint to the Skin and Lips
The disorder is 100 times more common among former users of the diet drug combination popularly known as "Fen-Phen". The diet drugs that experts have linked to PPH are "Pondimin", part of the Fen-Phen combination, and "Redux". Both Pondimin and Redux were withdrawn from the market in September, 1997, after they were conclusively linked to PPH and vascular heart disease.
It is now well-established that new cases of PPH caused by the diet drugs are now being diagnosed for the first time. This is because there may be a latency of 10-20 years after cessation of the diet drugs before the PPH disease manifests itself.
Treatment for PPH or PAH include the following drugs:
- Tracleer (Bosentan)
- Epoprostenol
- Treprostenol
- Flolan
- Remodulin
Read the Following Article for More Information
PPH: The 10-year Hangover from Diet Drugs that could kill you
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with PPH or PAH and took Fen-Phen, Pondimin or Redux, you may be entitled to a substantial recovery.
Your time may be short to collect compensatory or punitive damages for your serious injuries. If you, your family or someone you know has been injured, email us now for a free, private consultation. Knowledge is power- we'd like to help you!
CLICK HERE to contact us today, or send an email to Info@HelpingTheInjured.com
|
