Impact of anorectic drugs fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, lorcaserin, and rimonabant on obesity

Abstract

Anorectic drugs are used to suppress appetite and increase satiety, thereby encouraging weight loss. Among the anorectic drugs that have been most commonly used are fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, lorcaserin, and rimonabant, which promote weight loss in different ways and to different degrees. By reviewing recent literature, this paper comparatively assesses the benefits and risks of these anorectic drugs. Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, while highly effective in promoting weight loss, were associated with the highest risk of potentially fatal cardiac valve damage. Lorcaserin has proven to be significantly safer than fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, but its impacts on weight loss were generally modest and it was less sucessful in promoting long-term weight loss. Rimonabant resulted in a more significant decrease in weight than did lorcaserin, but was associated with unpredictable psychological side effects. This review identifies lorcaserin as the safest of the anorectic drugs discussed, even if it is not the most effective in promoting and sustaining weight loss. While anorectic drugs may help to treat obesity, they are not without potentially harmful side effects and are best used in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle modifications. Future research should seek to improve the specificity of anorectic drugs and thereby reduce potential side effects.