How does dexfenfluramine work?
Used to treat diabetes and obesity, Dexfenfluramine decreases caloric intake by increasing serotonin levels in the brain’s synapses. Dexfenfluramine acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It also causes release of serotonin from the synaptosomes. Dexfenfluramine binds to the serotonin reuptake pump.
Why was dexfenfluramine removed from market?
Dexfenfluramine was, for some years in the mid-1990s, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the purposes of weight loss. However, following multiple concerns about the cardiovascular side-effects of the drug, the FDA withdrew the approval in 1997.
What was in Fen Phen?
In the 1990s, millions of Americans were prescribed the weight loss therapy popularly known as Fen-phen. Fen-phen was a combination of the two (2) diet drugs, Pondimin (generically named “fenfluramine”) and phentermine. Similarly, Redux (“Dexfen”)—a chemical derivative of Pondimin—was increasingly prescribed.
Is dexfenfluramine still available?
Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine Withdrawn from Market.
Is Fen-Phen same as phentermine?
Phentermine is one of the two medications in “fen-phen,” which was an off-label combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Fenfluramine is another medication that activates the sympathetic nervous system like phentermine.
Why is rimonabant banned?
Indian Health Ministry bans obesity drug rimonabant following reports of side effects; TB drug curb moves ‘a failure’ The drug has been found to create psychiatric side effects including suicidal tendencies and has been banned in several developed countries.
What kind of drug is dexfenfluramine used for?
Dexfenfluramine, also marketed under the name Redux, is a serotoninergic anorectic drug. It was for some years in the mid-1990s approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the purposes of weight loss.
When was dexfenfluramine taken out of the market?
Analysis of available data suggests that fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine are the causal agents. Consequently, both drugs were withdrawn from the market on September 15, 1997. It is not known at the present time if the valvulopathies associated with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine are reversible following drug discontinuation.
Are there any side effects after stopping dexfenfluramine?
Cardiovascular. It is not known at the present time if the valvulopathies associated with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine are reversible following drug discontinuation. Symptomatic disease has not been noted to resolve after stopping treatment, although symptoms of heart failure have been controlled with medications in several patients.
Which is the D-enantiomer of fenfluramine?
It is the d- enantiomer of fenfluramine and is structurally similar to amphetamine, but lacks any psychologically stimulating effects. Dexfenfluramine was, for some years in the mid-1990s, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the purposes of weight loss.