Weight Loss & Metabolic Meds
Fen-Phen (Fenfluramine + Phentermine)
Street names: fen-phen, fenfluramine, Pondimin, Redux
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Strong appetite suppression
- Rapid weight loss
- Mild stimulation from the phentermine component
⚠Key risks
- Heart valve disease — the reason it was withdrawn
- Primary pulmonary hypertension (often fatal)
- Valve damage can appear years after stopping
- A landmark case study in drug-safety failure
✚Overdose signs
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Swollen ankles (heart failure signs)
Category comparison — Weight Loss & Metabolic Meds
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fen-Phen (Fenfluramine + Phentermine) | Withdrawn | Heart valve disease — the reason it was withdrawn; Primary pulmonary hypertension (often fatal) | Historical: the 1990s craze cost patients millions in prescriptions |
| Liothyronine (T3) | Rx-only — not controlled | At abuse doses: cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, bone loss; Muscle catabolism — the 'cut' comes with your muscle | ~$0.50–$2 per tablet grey-market |
| Levothyroxine (T4) | Rx-only — not controlled | Overtreatment = hyperthyroid state: palpitations, anxiety, bone loss; Taking it without hypothyroidism provides little benefit at real risk | ~$0.10–$0.50 per tablet |
| Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) | OTC | Oily stools, urgency, flatulence — the famous GI sides if you eat fatty; Fat-soluble vitamin absorption drops (take a multivitamin) | ~$0.50–$2 per capsule |
| Sibutramine (Meridia) | Withdrawn | WITHDRAWN worldwide for cardiovascular events (strokes, heart attacks in the SCOUT trial); Survives in adulterated supplements — buyers don't know they're taking it | ~$0.50–$2 per capsule illicit |
| Metformin | Rx-only — not controlled | GI upset (diarrhea, nausea) — titrate slowly; Lactic acidosis — rare, dangerous, mostly in kidney disease | ~$0.05–$0.30 per tablet |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Fen-Phen (Fenfluramine + Phentermine) look like?
Combination of two prescription tablets taken together — fenfluramine (withdrawn) plus phentermine (still sold).
What are the signs of a Fen-Phen (Fenfluramine + Phentermine) overdose?
Chest pain; Shortness of breath; Fainting Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Heart valve disease — the reason it was withdrawn Dependence can develop with regular use.