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Use of sibutramine and other noradrenergic and serotonergic drugs in the management of obesity

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Abstract

Drugs that act through noradrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms have historically served as the mainstays of pharmacologic treatments for obesity. This review addresses the following three topics: a brief discussion of older weight loss medications approved for short-term use (benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, mazindol, and phentermine), as well as over-the-counter adrenergic drugs (phenylpro-panolamine and ephedrine); recent clinical studies documenting the safety and efficacy of a new medication for obesity treatment, sibutramine, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for long-term use; and recent studies characterizing the valvulopathy associated with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, serotonergic medications for obesity which have been removed from the markets.

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  1. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, 70808, Baton Rouge, LA

    Donna H. Ryan

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Ryan, D.H. Use of sibutramine and other noradrenergic and serotonergic drugs in the management of obesity. Endocr 13, 193–199 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:13:2:193

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:13:2:193

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