GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY OF FENFLURAMINE

Although structurally related to amphetamine, fenfluramine differs from it quite markedly, both pharmacologically and clinically, and was the first compound in which anorectic activity was shown to be dissociated from a central stimulant effect. Studies are reviewed which indicate that the appetite suppressant activity of fenfluramine involves, at least in part, the central serotoninergic system, and this distinguishes the drug from all other anorectic agents such as amphetamine which can only act if the noradrenergic and perhaps the dopaminergic neurones are intact. Other investigations have shown that fenfluramine has an influence both on caloric ingestion, accelerating the sensation of satiety and a preferential consumption of proteins, and on energy metabolism. Fenfluramine, therefore, presents valuable properties for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, although it is not possible as yet to attribute a predominant role to one or the other of its pharmacological actions. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.