Wyeth Pharmeceticals, makers of the 90’s diet cocktail known as Fen-Phen (a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine), apparently won a lawsuit filed against them.

Curiously, I haven’t been able to find out any of the details of this claim. Although the win was announced today — and issued by a Judge with whom I’m actually acquainted — the only thing to hit the news thus far are press releases. (I do have a call in to the Judge’s office and will let you know what, if anything, I find out.)

As a one-time user of Fen-Phen, let me just tell you that I have never — EVER — found a “magic pill” that worked like those two babies combined. I only took it for one week, and in those 7 days I lost 9 pounds. Yes, you read that right: nine. That’s one whole pants size in one week, which might make it understandable why I’m curious as to the basis for the verdict.

Fenfluramine, for those who are too young to recall the horror that manifested once physicians began prescribing the mix of both medications, was designed to increase neurotransmitter uptake of serotonin — the antithesis of modern anti-depressants. Phentermine, on the other hand, is an anorectic agent: an appetite suppresant. As most of us know, that latter part translates to “stimulant”.

The combination of the two — one a downer, one an upper — somehow “jived” to produce dramatic weight loss… and heart attacks.

Which, for you young ones, is also the reason why so many are suspicious of Alli (despite the fact that Alli only works in the GI tract — without affecting the CNS or cardio-pulmonary systems).

Once burned, twice shy as the saying goes.