Can Redux cause pulmonary hypertension?

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Dexfenfluramine - Redux was banned because of causing pulmonary artery hypertension. In earlier days, doctors thought that Redux would cause pulmonary artery hypertension during the course of treatment. But, later we have found a lot of patients who developed pulmonary artery hypertension later in life. The numbers you are talking about seem to be of pulmonary artery pressure and yes, it is high. However, the good news is that you are asymptomatic. As you do not have any symptoms, at this point of life you do not have to worry about the death. A lot many people have pulmonary artery hypertension which is diagnosed by chance in investigations. But, they live a normal life if they are asymptomatic. Even if they have symptoms, we have a number of drugs that can be used to reduce the pulmonary hypertension like Sildenafil, Prostaglandin inhibitors. The most important thing here is the confirmation of the cause that could have resulted in pulmonary hypertension. I would recommend for CT pulmonary angiography to rule out any small emboli causing the problem. Do not panic. We can even treat severe symptomatic pulmonary hypertension. Your condition seems to be an uncomplicated one.

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I have seen many cases and there are case reports as well that Redux treatment can cause pulmonary artery hypertension later in life. So, I am assuming that and hence to rule out the possibilities of any other cause of such pulmonary hypertension, I am advising you a CT pulmonary angiography. What you have been reading on internet is just extreme. You are asymptomatic, so it is very unlikely that your life span would be just five years because of this disease. I have my patients living well from last 20 years with severe pulmonary artery disease. Just the quality of life is poor and that too because they are symptomatic. You have however not shared with me your recent echo report. Also, do you remember when you stopped taking Redux? Do you have any habit of smoking or alcohol consumption? Did you take any steroids or contraception pills earlier? What are the other medicine you have been taking?

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Your history is clear and is not suggestive of any issues or medicines pertaining to pulmonary hypertension. No issues, if you do not have latest echo report. It is probably pulmonary hypertension.

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Yes, I have seen the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is nothing gross found. Your history is clear and there is no evidence of any activity causing pulmonary artery disease. Moreover, start exercise. Keep your blood pressure under strict control. There is no indication of taking the medicine. Just get CT pulmonary angiography.

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I am glad to know that your numbers have got down. I would like to see the reports.

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I have seen the attached reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and would like to congratulate you that the reports are good. In fact, the pulmonary artery hypertension is found as insignificant. I suppose, he is right your previous echo report was just an echo anomaly. The reason we both are stating this is that usually once if pulmonary hypertension develops, it is very rare to see its regression. So, I would also suggest the same. Repeat your echo after one year. You should walk daily; should keep your cholesterol under control and eat healthy. I do not find any reason to worry here. However, if you have any current symptoms please let me know.