Aminorex, pulmonary hypertension with

Aminorex is an amfetamine analogue that was used as an anorectic agent, but was withdrawn from the market over 20 years ago because of its association with pulmonary hypertension, which sometimes proved fatal. Its adverse effects have been attributed predominantly to the release of noradrenaline and other catecholamines. 

Saner H, Gurtner HP, Preisig R, Kupfer A. Polymorphic debrisoquine and mephenytoin hydroxylation in patients with pulmonary hypertension of vascular origin after aminorex fumarate. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1986 31(4) 437-42. 

Conflicting evidence has been reported on the roles of anorexigens in pulmonary hypertension.53,5 It has been suggested that aminorex (XIII) may be Implicated in the development of pulmonary hypertension in dogs55,56 anj jp humans.57-61 On the other hand, 4,000 patients receiving aminorex showed no such side effect.62 in a series of studies that included treatment of obese patients with chronic chest diseases, with fenfluramine, no evidence of pulmonary hypertension was found.54 Therefore, to date no definite correlation can be made between appetite suppressants and the development of pulmonary hypertension. 

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