Anorexogen-Related Cardiac Valvulopathy

Letters21 May 2002Anorexogen-Related Cardiac ValvulopathyRichard B. Rothman, MD, PhDRichard B. Rothman, MD, PhDFairfax, VA 22030 (Rothman)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-136-10-200205210-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:In addition to those described by Howlin (1), additional errors in the editorial by St John Sutton (2) require correction. St John Sutton indicated that phentermine decreases appetite by inhibiting serotonin clearance in the lung. However, it is generally well accepted that the ability of phentermine to release the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine produces its anorectic effects (3). The incorrect notion that phentermine inhibits pulmonary clearance of serotonin first arose when Connolly and coworkers (4) apparently confused chlorphentermine, which does inhibit pulmonary serotonin clearance, with phentermine, which does not. Finally, the lack of valvular heart disease cases ...References1. Howlin D. Fenfluramine and phentermine [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135:840-1. [PMID: 11694113] LinkGoogle Scholar2. St John Sutton M. Silver lining to the cloud over anorexogen-related cardiac valvulopathy? [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2001;134:335-7. [PMID: 11182845] LinkGoogle Scholar3. Rothman RB, Baumann MH. Neurochemical mechanisms of phentermine and fenfluramine: therapeutic and adverse effects. Drug Development Research. 2000;51:52-65. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. Connolly HM, Crary JL, McGoon MD, Hensrud DD, Edwards BS, Edwards WD, et al . Valvular heart disease associated with fenfluramine-phentermine. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:581-8. [PMID: 9271479] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Rich S, Rubin L, Walker AM, Schneeweiss S, Abenhaim L. Anorexigens and pulmonary hypertension in the United States: results from the surveillance of North American pulmonary hypertension. Chest. 2000;117:870-4. [PMID: 10713017] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Fairfax, VA 22030 (Rothman) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoSilver Lining to the Cloud over Anorexogen-Related Cardiac Valvulopathy? Martin St John Sutton Fenfluramine and Phentermine Diane Howlin Metrics Cited ByDiagnostic and Therapeutic Targets for Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta Pathologies: Challenges and OpportunitiesSerotonin receptor 2B signaling with interstitial cell activation and leaflet remodeling in degenerative mitral regurgitationStructural Basis for Molecular Recognition at Serotonin ReceptorsCellular Mechanisms in Mitral Valve Disease 21 May 2002Volume 136, Issue 10Page: 779KeywordsCardiovascular therapyDopamineLungsNeurotransmittersNorepinephrinePulmonary hypertensionSerotonin ePublished: 21 May 2002 Issue Published: 21 May 2002 CopyrightCopyright © 2002 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...