Fenfluramine - Revision history

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	~~'''Fenfluramine''' is a synthetic~~ drug ~~that was primarily~~ used as an appetite suppressant. Fenfluramine works by increasing the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and digestion. However, its use has been significantly restricted due to its association with serious cardiovascular issues, particularly heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension.		{{Short description\|A drug used as an appetite suppressant}}

	~~==History==~~		[[File:Fenfluramine2DCSD.svg\|thumb\|right\|Fenfluramine 2D Structure]]
	Fenfluramine ~~was first synthesized in 1963~~ and was introduced in the market as a tool for weight management in the 1970s. It gained widespread popularity, especially when used in combination with phentermine, in a regimen that was colloquially known as "Fen-~~Phen." Despite its effectiveness in promoting weight loss, reports of its adverse effects on the heart led to its withdrawal from the market in 1997.~~		[[File:Fenfluramine_3D_BS.png\|thumb\|left\|Fenfluramine 3D Ball-and-Stick Model]]

	~~==Mechanism of Action==~~		'''Fenfluramine''' is a drug that was primarily used as an [[appetite suppressant]] in the treatment of [[obesity]]. It is a [[serotonin]] [[releasing agent]] and was part of the anti-obesity medication combination known as [[fen-phen]]. Fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market in 1997 due to concerns about its association with [[cardiac valvulopathy]] and [[pulmonary hypertension]].
	Fenfluramine ~~acts~~ primarily ~~by releasing serotonin from synaptic vesicles and inhibiting its reuptake, leading to increased serotonin levels within~~ the ~~central nervous system~~. ~~This elevation in serotonin levels~~ is ~~believed to suppress appetite. Unlike other appetite suppressants, fenfluramine does not significantly stimulate the central nervous system, making it~~ a ~~unique~~ agent in the ~~management of~~ obesity.

	==~~Adverse Effects~~==		==Pharmacology==
	~~The adverse effects~~ of ~~fenfluramine are significant~~ and ~~have led to its decline in use~~. ~~The most concerning are its cardiovascular effects, particularly~~ the ~~development~~ of ~~valvular heart disease~~ and ~~pulmonary arterial hypertension~~, ~~a rare but potentially fatal condition~~. ~~Other side~~ effects ~~include dizziness, fatigue, and confusion~~.		Fenfluramine acts by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and other functions. It does this by promoting the release of serotonin from [[neurons]] and inhibiting its reuptake, leading to increased serotonin activity in the brain. This action on serotonin is believed to contribute to its appetite-suppressing effects.

	==~~Regulatory Actions~~==		==Medical uses==
	~~Due~~ to ~~the severe adverse effects associated~~ with ~~its use, fenfluramine~~ was ~~withdrawn from the U.S. market~~ in ~~1997. Similar actions were taken~~ in ~~other countries~~. ~~The withdrawal marked a significant shift~~ in ~~the approach~~ to ~~obesity treatment, emphasizing the importance of safety in pharmacotherapy~~.		Fenfluramine was used as an appetite suppressant to aid in weight loss for individuals with obesity. It was often prescribed in combination with [[phentermine]], another appetite suppressant, in the fen-phen combination. This combination was found to be effective in promoting weight loss but was later linked to serious side effects.

	==~~Current Status~~==		==Adverse effects==
	~~While~~ fenfluramine ~~is no longer available for~~ the ~~treatment of obesity,~~ its ~~derivative, dexfenfluramine,~~ was ~~briefly used before being withdrawn for similar safety concerns. Research into the therapeutic potential of fenfluramine~~ and its ~~derivatives continues~~, ~~particularly in the treatment of certain seizure disorders~~, ~~indicating that the story of fenfluramine may not be entirely concluded~~.		The use of fenfluramine was associated with several adverse effects, the most significant being its impact on the heart. It was found to cause [[valvular heart disease]] and [[pulmonary hypertension]], conditions that led to its withdrawal from the market. Other side effects included [[dizziness]], [[dry mouth]], [[insomnia]], and [[nervousness]].

	==~~See Also~~==		==Withdrawal from the market==
			In 1997, fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market by its manufacturer, following reports of heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension in patients who had taken the drug. The decision to withdraw fenfluramine was based on findings from the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and other health authorities that linked the drug to these serious health risks.

			==Current status==
			Although fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market for its use in obesity, it has been repurposed for other medical conditions. In 2020, a low-dose formulation of fenfluramine was approved by the FDA for the treatment of [[Dravet syndrome]], a rare form of epilepsy. This approval was based on clinical trials that demonstrated its efficacy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients with this condition.

			==Related pages==
			* [[Serotonin releasing agent]]
			* [[Appetite suppressant]]
			* [[Obesity]]
			* [[Dravet syndrome]]
	* [[Phentermine]]		* [[Phentermine]]
	* [[Obesity]]
	* [[Serotonin]]
	* [[Appetite suppressant]]
	* [[Pulmonary hypertension]]
	* [[Valvular heart disease]]

	[[Category:~~Appetite suppressants]]~~		[[Category:Anorectics]]
	~~[[Category:Serotonergic drugs~~]]
	[[Category:Withdrawn drugs]]		[[Category:Withdrawn drugs]]
			[[Category:Serotonin releasing agents]]
	~~{{Pharmacology-stub}}~~
	~~{{medicine-stub}}~~

	~~== Fenfluramine ==~~
	~~<gallery>~~
	~~File~~:~~Fenfluramine2DCSD.svg\|Fenfluramine 2D Structure~~
	~~File:Fenfluramine 3D BS.png\|Fenfluramine 3D Ball-and-Stick Model~~
	~~</gallery>~~
	~~== Fenfluramine ==~~
	~~<gallery>~~
	~~File:Fenfluramine2DCSD.svg\|Fenfluramine 2D Structure~~
	~~File:Fenfluramine 3D BS.png\|Fenfluramine 3D Ball-and-Stick Model~~
	~~</gallery>~~

Prab at 21:52, 16 March 2025

2025-03-16T21:52:05Z

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	== Fenfluramine ==		== Fenfluramine ==
	<gallery>		<gallery>

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			== Fenfluramine ==
			<gallery>
			File:Fenfluramine2DCSD.svg\|Fenfluramine 2D Structure
			File:Fenfluramine 3D BS.png\|Fenfluramine 3D Ball-and-Stick Model
			</gallery>
	== Fenfluramine ==		== Fenfluramine ==
	<gallery>		<gallery>

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			== Fenfluramine ==
			<gallery>
			File:Fenfluramine2DCSD.svg\|Fenfluramine 2D Structure
			File:Fenfluramine 3D BS.png\|Fenfluramine 3D Ball-and-Stick Model
			</gallery>

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	{{Pharmacology-stub}}		{{Pharmacology-stub}}
	{{medicine-stub}}		{{medicine-stub}}
			{{No image}}

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New page

'''Fenfluramine''' is a synthetic drug that was primarily used as an appetite suppressant. Fenfluramine works by increasing the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and digestion. However, its use has been significantly restricted due to its association with serious cardiovascular issues, particularly heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension.

==History==
Fenfluramine was first synthesized in 1963 and was introduced in the market as a tool for weight management in the 1970s. It gained widespread popularity, especially when used in combination with phentermine, in a regimen that was colloquially known as "Fen-Phen." Despite its effectiveness in promoting weight loss, reports of its adverse effects on the heart led to its withdrawal from the market in 1997.

==Mechanism of Action==
Fenfluramine acts primarily by releasing serotonin from synaptic vesicles and inhibiting its reuptake, leading to increased serotonin levels within the central nervous system. This elevation in serotonin levels is believed to suppress appetite. Unlike other appetite suppressants, fenfluramine does not significantly stimulate the central nervous system, making it a unique agent in the management of obesity.

==Adverse Effects==
The adverse effects of fenfluramine are significant and have led to its decline in use. The most concerning are its cardiovascular effects, particularly the development of valvular heart disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare but potentially fatal condition. Other side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and confusion.

==Regulatory Actions==
Due to the severe adverse effects associated with its use, fenfluramine was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997. Similar actions were taken in other countries. The withdrawal marked a significant shift in the approach to obesity treatment, emphasizing the importance of safety in pharmacotherapy.

==Current Status==
While fenfluramine is no longer available for the treatment of obesity, its derivative, dexfenfluramine, was briefly used before being withdrawn for similar safety concerns. Research into the therapeutic potential of fenfluramine and its derivatives continues, particularly in the treatment of certain seizure disorders, indicating that the story of fenfluramine may not be entirely concluded.

==See Also==
* [[Phentermine]]
* [[Obesity]]
* [[Serotonin]]
* [[Appetite suppressant]]
* [[Pulmonary hypertension]]
* [[Valvular heart disease]]

[[Category:Appetite suppressants]]
[[Category:Serotonergic drugs]]
[[Category:Withdrawn drugs]]

{{Pharmacology-stub}}
{{medicine-stub}}