Phen Phen is universally known by its’ nickname, Phen Fen. Phen Fen is a combination of Phentermine and Fenfluramine. Phentermine decreases appetite while Fenfluramine gives the feeling of increased satiety (the quality or state of being fed or gratified to or beyond capacity). When combining the two diet drugs together, it helped overweight individuals effectively lose weight. Even though, a combination of Phentermine and Fenfluramine was never used as a combination anti-obesity drug until the early 1990s, the two drugs have been on the market separately since the 1970's.
In the US, Phentermine is currently sold under the brand names Ionamin® (Medeva Pharmaceuticals) and Adipex-P® (Gate Pharmaceuticals). It is also available as a generic medication, known as 'phentermine'.
Fen-Phen refers to the combination, or cocktail, of Fenfluramine or Pondimin (the "Fen") and Phentermine (the "Phen"). Fenfluramine received FDA approval in 1973 for the short-term treatment of obesity. Together, Phentermine and Fenfluramine produced a powerful diet drug cocktail.
In 1992, Dr. Michael Weintraub of the University of Rochester and several colleagues published a study citing Fen-Phen as a more effective method than dieting or exercise in reducing the weight of the chronically obese. Even better - Fen-Phen, unlike an earlier generation of speed-laden diet drugs, seemed to be without immediate side effects.
