Serotonin-Releasing Anorexiants

Serotonin-releasing anorexiants increase the availability of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that prevents depression and reduces calorie consumption. Unfortunately, the most popular of these drugs have very serious side effects, including development of abnormalities in the valves of the heart and, uncommonly, a potentially life-threatening condition called pulmonary hypertension. As a result, dexfenfluramine (Redux), fenfluramine (Pondimin), and the combination drug commonly called fen-phen, fenfluramine (Pondimin) have been pulled from the market. Studies report that changes may occur in patients taking the drugs for more than three months. To date, even in these patients, there do not seem to be serious complications. Taking the drugs for a short period (two to three months) appears to do no harm at all. Patients who were treated with Redux, Pondimin, or phen-fen for more than three months should have a thorough cardiovascular exam, including an echocardiogram. Many women who had valvular abnormalities had been taking multiples of the recommended dosages. Others were also on Prozac, an antidepressant that also increases serotonin and intensifies the effects of the diet drugs.