Dexfenfluramine in type II diabetes: effect on weight and diabetes control.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of dexfenfluramine on weight loss, diabetic control and blood lipids in type II diabetics over a three-month period. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: Forty overweight patients in the Diabetic Clinic, Fremantle Hospital, were studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a run-in period of one month followed by three months on either dexfenfluramine or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in body weight, and fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. MAIN RESULTS: The median change in weight was -3.8 kg in the treatment group (Df) and +0.3 kg in the placebo group (PI) (P = 0.006). The median changes in fasting plasma glucose levels were -1.0 mmol/L (Df) and +0.6 mmol/L (PI) P = 0.010). The median changes in glycosylated haemoglobin levels were -1.4% (Df) and +0.2% (PI) (P = 0.002). The median changes in triglyceride levels were -0.3 mmol/L (Df) and +0.2 mmol/L (PI) (P = 0.017). Cholesterol level did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Dexfenfluramine is effective in achieving weight loss and also improved diabetic control in obese type II diabetics over a three-month period.