Chronic treatment with phentermine combined with fenfluramine lowers plasma serotonin.
As expected on the basis of published research in both humans and animals, treatment with phentermine/fenfluramine lowers plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine [corrected], whereas treatment with phentermine had no significant effect. In light of these findings, future research should focus on mechanisms other than increased plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine [corrected] to explain how fenfluramine increases the risk of primary pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease.
Rothman
R B
RB
rbrothman@aol.com
Redmon
J B
JB
Raatz
S K
SK
Kwong
C A
CA
Swanson
J E
JE
Bantle
J P
JP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010645:Phentermine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005277:Fenfluramine; D010645:Phentermine; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013566:Sympathomimetics