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Adifax: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026

Adifax - General Information

Adifax, also marketed under the name Redux, is a serotoninergic anorectic drug. It was for some years in the mid-1990s approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the purposes of weight loss. However, following multiple concerns about the cardiovascular side-effects of the drug, such approval was withdrawn.

 

Pharmacology of Adifax

Used to treat diabetes and obesity, Adifax decreases caloric intake by increasing serotonin levels in the brain’s synapses. Adifax acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It also causes release of serotonin from the synaptosomes.

 

Adifax for patients

 

Adifax Interactions

In patients receiving nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (e.g., selegiline hydrochloride) in combination with serotoninergic agents (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine), there have been reports of serious, sometimes fatal, reactions. Because dexfenfluramine is a serotonin releaser and reuptake inhibitor, dexfenfluramine should not be used concomitantly with a MAO inhibitor.

At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of a MAO inhibitor and initiation of treatment with dexfenfluramine. At least 3 weeks should elapse between discontinuation of dexfenfluramine and initiation of treatment with a MAO inhibitor.

A rare, but serious, constellation of symptoms, termed "serotonin syndrome," has been reported with the concomitant use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and agents for migraine therapy, such as Imitrex (sumatriptan succinate) and dihydroergotamine. The syndrome requires immediate medical attention and may include one or more of the following symptoms: excitement, hypomania, restlessness, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, anxiety, agitation, motor weakness, myoclonus, tremor, hemiballismus, hyperreflexia, ataxia, dysarthria, incoordination, hyperthermia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, emesis, and tachycardia. Dexfenfluramine should not be administered with other serotoninergic agents. The appropriate interval between administration of these agents and dexfenfluramine has not been established. The use of dexfenfluramine with other CNS-Active drugs has not been systematically evaluated; consequently, caution is advised if dexfenfluramine and such drugs are prescribed concurrently.

 

Adifax Contraindications

Dexfenfluramine is contraindicated in patients with diagnosed pulmonary hypertension. Dexfenfluramine is contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (see DRUG INTERACTIONS). Dexfenfluramine is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, or related compounds.

 

Additional information about Adifax

Adifax Indication: For the management of obesity including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss in patients on a reduced calorie diet Mechanism Of Action: Adifax binds to the serotonin reuptake pump. This causes inhbition of serotonin uptake and release of serotonin. The increased levels of serotonin lead to greater serotonin receptor activation which in turn lead to enhancement of serotoninergic transmission in the centres of feeding behavior located in the hypothalamus. This suppresses the appetite for carbohydrates. Drug Interactions: Acetophenazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Chlorpromazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Ethopropazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Fluoxetine Risk of serotoninergic syndrome Fluphenazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Fluvoxamine Risk of serotoninergic syndrome Guanethidine The agent decreases the effect of guanethidine Insulin Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Insulin-aspart Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Insulin-detemir Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Insulin-glargine Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Insulin-glulisine Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Insulin-lispro Fenfluramine increases the effect of insulin Isocarboxazid Possible hypertensinve crisis Mesoridazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Methdilazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Paroxetine Risk of serotoninergic syndrome Perphenazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Phenelzine Possible hypertensive crisis Prochlorperazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Promazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Promethazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Propiomazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Rasagiline Possible hypertensive crisis Thiethylperazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Thioridazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Tranylcypromine Possible hypertensive crisis Trifluoperazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Triflupromazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Trimeprazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Venlafaxine Risk of serotoninergic syndrome Methotrimeprazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Propericiazine Decreased anorexic effect, may increase psychotic symptoms Food Interactions: Take with meals. Generic Name: Dexfenfluramine Synonyms: Levofenfluraminum [Latin]; Levofenfluramine [Inn]; Levofenfluramine; L-Fenfluramine; Levofenfluramina [Spanish]; Dextrofenfluramine; Dexfenfluraminum [Latin]; D-Fenfluramine; Dexafenfluramine; Dexfenfluramina [Spanish]; Dexfenfluramine Hydrochloride Drug Category: Serotonin reuptake inhibitor; Antiobesity Agents; Appetite Depressants Drug Type: Small Molecule; Illicit; Approved; Withdrawn Other Brand Names containing Dexfenfluramine: Adifax; Redux; Absorption: Well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Toxicity (Overdose): Symptoms of overdose include respiratory failure and cardiac arrest leading to death. Protein Binding: 36% Biotransformation: Not Available Half Life: 17-20 hours Dosage Forms of Adifax: Capsule Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: N-ethyl-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-2-amine Chemical Formula: C12H16F3N Dexfenfluramine on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexfenfluramine Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals