Chemical Properties
White Crystalline Powder
Uses
Controlled substance. Anorexic
Definition
ChEBI: The hydrochloride salt of (S)-fenfluramine. It stimulates the release of serotonin and selectively inhibits its reuptake, but unlike the racemate it does not possess catecholamine agonist activity. It was formerly given by mouth in the tre
tment of obesity, but, like the racemate, was withdrawn wolrdwide following reports of valvular heart defects.
Biological Activity
Indirectly agonizes serotonin receptors via inhibition of 5-HT re-uptake and stimulation of 5-HT release. Anorectic agent; decreases growth hormone, insulin, leptin, fat mass, lean mass and increases ghrelin in diet-switched diet-induced obese mice.
Description
Redux, having been already launched in Europe, was marketed in Canada
and the US for obesity. The (+)-isomer of fenfluramine is obtained by resolution using
d-camphoric acid and ultimate conversion to the HCl salt. The levo-isomer has
significant effects on dopaminerigic neurotransmission, while the dextro-isomer has a
greater anorectic effect because it is more selective on serotonin as a 5-HT agonist
with no dopaminergic or noradenergic activity. Redux inhibits the presynaptic release
of serotonin, is a reuptake inhibitor, a 5-HT1B, receptor agonist, and a postsynaptic 5-HT2C receptor agonist . A dietary reduction in fat intake was thought to proceed via a
CCK A-type receptor agonist activity. Due to the side effects of primary pulmonary
hypertension, brain serotonin neurotoxicity and valvular heart disease, Redux was
withdrawn world wide.
Originator
Servier (France)
Brand name
Redux (Interneuron).
Biochem/physiol Actions
(+)-Fenfluramine is a serotonin uptake inhibitor; anoxexic. (+)-Fenfluramine is neurotoxic on prolonged administration or at high dosage. (+)-Fenfluramine releases serotonin from axon terminals by a nonexocytotic mechanism.
