Why the study?
Do fenfluramine-phentermine and dexfenfluramine cause valvular heart disease in exposed patients?
Do fenfluramine-phentermine and dexfenfluramine cause valvular heart disease in exposed patients?
This review highlights that while fenfluramine-phentermine and dexfenfluramine are associated with valvular heart disease, the prevalence of valve abnormalities may be lower than initially reported, with potential for lesion resolution.
Early reports may overestimate fenfluramine valvulopathy prevalence with possible lesion resolution; leaves open optimal long-term surveillance needs.
Since 1997, the appetite suppressant drugs fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen) and dexfenfluramine have been associated with the development of valvular heart disease. As a result, the drugs have been withdrawn from the market and interim recommendations for evaluation and treatment of exposed patients were issued. However, subsequent studies showed lower prevalence rates for valve abnormalities than were initially reported, and the possibility of such drug-induced lesions resolving has been raised. This article reviews relevant evidence and discusses concerns for the dental practitioner.
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Barasch et al. (2002) studied this question.
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