The study reported here examined the interaction of 9 medications that are associated with VHD (positive controls) and 5 medications that are not associated with VHD (negative controls) at 11 cloned 5-HT receptors. We sought to identify a mitogenic 5-HT receptor that would be activated by the positive but not the negative controls. We hypothesized that this CASR mediates fenfluramine-associated VHD. Among the receptors assayed, the 5-HT2B receptor has 5 characteristics consistent with its being the CASR: (1) it is located on both mitral and aortic valves10 ; (2) it mediates mitogenisis27 ; (3) the norfenfluramines have high affinity and efficacy at the 5-HT2B receptor; (4) ergotamine and methylergonovine, the active metabolite of methysergide, are high-affinity partial agonists for the 5-HT2B receptor; and (5) with the exception of mCPP (see below), the negative control drugs (fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, phentermine) have very low affinity for this site and lack agonist effects at this receptor. The 5-HT2C receptor is ruled out as the CASR, primarily because few of these receptors are expressed in heart valves.10


Does this mean that fluoxetine, which is generic Prozac is relatively safe? I've been taking one 20mg capsule a day for the last several years.

paula