Tag: Fenfluramine

Several drug classes, including historical weight-loss medications and some treatments for Parkinson’s disease, have been documented to cause changes in heart valve structure and function. This raises a critical question for both patients and healthcare professionals: can drugs cause heart valve problems, and if so, what is the underlying mechanism?

Approximately one-third of epilepsy patients are resistant to older anti-seizure medications, driving the development of new treatments with novel mechanisms and better side-effect profiles. Exploring **what are the new seizure medications** reveals significant advancements that offer renewed hope for improved seizure control and quality of life.

In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the withdrawal of fenfluramine from the market, a decision spurred by compelling evidence of serious cardiac risks. This critical event answers the question of **why was fenfluramine withdrawn**, fundamentally altering the landscape of weight-loss medication.

Serotonin-releasing agents (SRAs) can increase serotonin levels in the brain by over nine times more than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), leading to potent effects on mood and behavior. This powerful pharmacological action is central to understanding what is an SRA drug, its potential uses, and the significant risks associated with it.