fenfluramin

Fenfluramine is a medication that was previously used as an appetite suppressant. It is a substituted amphetamine and works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin. Fenfluramine was often prescribed in combination with phentermine, a drug known as fen-phen. This combination was popular in the 1990s for weight loss.

However, concerns arose regarding the safety of fenfluramine. Studies began to link fenfluramine and its metabolite, norfenfluramine, to serious cardiovascular problems, specifically valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. These conditions involve damage to the heart valves and high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, respectively. Due to these risks, fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market in the United States and many other countries in 1997.

Despite its withdrawal for weight loss, research into fenfluramine has continued. It has shown potential for treating certain rare and severe forms of epilepsy, particularly those associated with genetic disorders like Dravet syndrome. A formulation of fenfluramine specifically designed for this purpose, marketed under the brand name Fintepla, has received regulatory approval in some regions for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This re-emergence highlights a shift in therapeutic focus, utilizing the drug's neurological effects for a different medical indication under strict medical supervision.