The effects of benfluramate on carbohydrate metabolism in obesity

Glucose turnover rate, glucose oxidation and lactate production from glucose were investigated in 5 obese subjects using the primed infusion technique, before and four weeks after a course on benfluramate therapy. All subjects lost weight on the drug. Mean glucose turnover rate, but not CO2 and lactate production increased after treatment. The changes in metabolism appear to reflect the combined effects of weight loss and drug action.