Chronic treatment with phentermine combined with fenfluramine lowers plasma serotonin.

Author(s): Rothman RB, Redmon JB, Raatz SK, Kwong CA, Swanson JE, Bantle JP

Affiliation(s): rbrothman@aol.com

Publication date & source: 2000-04-01, Am J Cardiol., 85(7):913-5, A10.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

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.