The effect of fenfluramine on obese, maturity-onset diabetic patients

Abstract

SummaryThe effect on carbohydrate tolerance of fenfluramine therapy (60 mg/day) was compared to placebo therapy in a double-blind trial in 38 obese, maturity-onset diabetic patients. Ten patients were receiving sulphonylurea drugs, 16 patients biguanides and 12 patients were on diet therapy alone. Fenfluramine therapy resulted in a significant improvement in glucose tolerance but this improvement was not correlated with any change in body weight or insulin secretion. However, there was no significant improvement in fasting blood glucose levels during the periods of fenfluramine therapy except in those patients receiving sulphonylureas. The improvement in glucose tolerance was least in patients on diet alone and greatest in patients on sulphonylurea and diet therapy. It is concluded that fenfluramine may prove to be a useful adjunct to diet therapy in the obese maturity-onset diabetic patient and in those diabetic patients controlled on diet and sulphonylurea therapy for whom weight loss is difficult.Resum...