DEXTROFENFLURAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY OBESITY

Abstract

89 patients with refractory obesity entered a trial to assess the efficacy and acceptability of dextrofenfluramine - the active stereoisomer of the antiobesity drug fenfluramine. Patients, recruited from a general practice surgery and a hospital obesity clinic, received either dextrofenfluramine 15mg twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. 76 patients completed the study: 4 patients in the dextrofenfluramine and 1 in the placebo group withdrew due to side effects. Patients treated with dextrofenfluramine continued to lose weight throughout twelve weeks of treatment; their mean weight loss was 4.1 kg after 12 weeks. Side effects attributable to dextrofenfluramine were infrequent (apart from daytime drowsiness), mainly transient and their incidence was not statistically different compared to the placebo group. Dextrofenfluramine effectively induces weight loss in refractory obesity. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate its potential clinical uses.