Benfluorex: increasing reports of valve disorders.

Benfluorex is an amphetamine appetite suppressant derived from fenfluramine. In France, about 30 cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension and a similar number of valve disorders, often involving several valves, were reported between 1998 and 2009. Benfluorex has the same adverse effects as those that led to the withdrawal of amphetamine appetite suppressants such as fenfluramine.There is no proven benefit that justifies exposing patients to these risks. The French National Pharmacovigilance Committee simply proposed "to await the results of planned and ongoing studies". However, it would be in patients' best interests to withdraw this drug from the market.