Hypoglycemic effect of fenfluramine in insulin-treated diabetics

In addition to its anorectic effect, fenfluramine has been demonstrated to decrease blood glucose levels in diabetics, independently of weight loss or the anorectic action. These studies have usually been performed in insulin-independent diabetics. We therefore undertook to investigate 8 non-insulin-dependent and 2 insulin-dependent patients receiving insulin, and noted a mean 21.1 +/- 3.8% decrease in blood glucose after 10 days of fenfluramine utilization. This parameter was diminished in all subjects in whom it had been elevated (greater than 120 mg/d1) during the placebo period of our double-blind, randomized study. Thus, fenfluramine apparently has the capacity to lower glucose in patients receiving insulin therapy.