Benfluorex

Benfluorex
Clinical data
Trade namesMediator
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
Routes of
administration		By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
ExcretionKidney
Identifiers
  • (RS)-2-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan- 2-yl}amino)ethyl benzoate
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.041.601 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC19H20F3NO2
Molar mass351.369 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
ChiralityRacemic mixture
  • FC(F)(F)c1cccc(c1)CC(NCCOC(=O)c2ccccc2)C
  • InChI=1S/C19H20F3NO2/c1-14(12-15-6-5-9-17(13-15)19(20,21)22)23-10-11-25-18(24)16-7-3-2-4-8-16/h2-9,13-14,23H,10-12H2,1H3 checkY
  • Key:CJAVTWRYCDNHSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Benfluorex, sold under the brand name Mediator, is an anorectic and hypolipidemic agent that is structurally related to fenfluramine (a substituted amphetamine). It may improve glycemic control and decrease insulin resistance in people with poorly controlled type-2 diabetes.[2][3]

It was on the market between 1976 and 2009, and is thought to have caused between 500 and 2,000 deaths.[4] It was patented and manufactured by the French pharmaceutical company Servier. However, Servier is suspected of having marketed benfluorex at odds with the drug's medical properties.[5]

On March 29, 2021, a French court fined Servier €2.7m (£2.3m) after finding it guilty of deception and manslaughter.[6] On appeal, the former chief, Jean-Philippe Seta was additionally given 4 years (suspended), including 1 year of house arrest, and this is also being appealed. [7]

  1. ^ Anvisa (2023-03-31). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 2023-04-04). Archived from the original on 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  2. ^ Moulin P, Andre M, Alawi H, dos Santos LC, Khalid AK, Koev D, et al. (March 2006). "Efficacy of benfluorex in combination with sulfonylurea in type 2 diabetic patients: an 18-week, randomized, double-blind study". Diabetes Care. 29 (3): 515–20. doi:10.2337/diacare.29.03.06.dc05-1439. PMID 16505498.
  3. ^ Roger P, Auclair J, Drain P (1999). "Addition of benfluorex to biguanide improves glycemic control in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes: a double-blind study versus placebo". Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. 13 (2): 62–7. doi:10.1016/S1056-8727(98)00004-X. PMID 10432168.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference BCC2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Mullard A (March 2011). "Mediator scandal rocks French medical community". Lancet. 377 (9769): 890–2. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60334-6. PMID 21409784. S2CID 5325085.
  6. ^ "Mediator drug: French pharmaceutical firm fined over weight loss pill". BBC News. 29 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Mediator° trial appeal: a judgement that better reflects the harm done". english.prescrire.org. Retrieved 2024-08-20.