Phentermine History

Phentermine was introduced in the year 1950's as an anti obesity drug. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved this drug in the year 1959. This weight loss supplement gained popularity after the FDA approval. Be it the craze of having an attractive body posture, the quick effect of the supplement or the economical price Phentermine gained a great popularity in very less time. Phentermine was available in two different forms called Phentermine resin and Phentermine Hydrochloride by 1959 and 1970 respectively in every part of United States. Phentermine was then sold under SmithKline Beecham by King Pharmaceuticals. Pentermine was then sold under a different name called Fastin, however fastin was withdrawn from the market in december1998.

Phentermine then came up with new combination called Phen Fen. Pentermine was combined with Fenfluramine to produce to produce a powerful diet drug in controlling weight. Fenfluramine also received FDA approval in 1973 for the short term treatment of obesity. However the combination of these to successful drugs never received FDA approval. Although the agency approved the doctor's prescription, the drug was considered off-label.

Phen Fen reached the popularity heights when Dr. Michael Weintraub of University of Rochester extolled the supplement in his study citing Phen-Fen as a more effective method than dieting or exercise in reducing the weight of the chronically obese. In addition he also said Phen Fen exhibits bits no immediate side effects unlike other speed laden diet drug. This popularity made Phen-Fen reached the number 6.6 millions of prescribed sale.

While the published study gave the drug undue popularity and sale, the most important fact was neglected that Phen-Fen was never tested for safety. 1997 summer deported the Phen-Fen consumers to the hospital with the clusters in the heart valves. This made the FDA issue a Public Health advisory in order to report the findings. The findings were published in New England Journal of medicine.

The report evaluated that the Fenfluramine consumers depict 30% abnormal valve findings. Thus Fenfluramine is not just a short term anti obese supplement but also a reason for major health disasters like Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and other heart valve diseases. FDA was quick to respond this time, the first step was to request the manufacturers itself to withdraw Fenfluramine from the market and also issued a public notice to stop the consumption of the supplement. But phenFen was spared from the withdrawal process.