• Withdrawn Medication: Ponderax, which contained the active ingredient fenfluramine, was a medication used for weight loss. It was part of a combination therapy with phentermine (marketed as Fen-Phen) that gained popularity in the 1990s.
• Mechanism of Action: Fenfluramine worked by affecting brain chemicals involved in appetite regulation, leading to feelings of fullness and reduced food intake.
• Safety Concerns: In the late 1990s, concerns emerged regarding serious side effects associated with fenfluramine, including heart valve damage. This led to the withdrawal of Ponderax and Fen-Phen from the market.