Examining the CV Safety of Fenfluramine for Dravet Syndrome

TARGET AUDIENCE
The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of neurologists, pediatric neurologists, epileptologists, pediatric epileptologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, general practitioners, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists involved and/or interested in the management of patients with DS.

STATEMENT OF NEED/PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Data from recent randomized clinical trials have showed that fenfluramine is well tolerated and has robust antiseizure efficacy as an adjunct therapy in children and young adults with Dravet syndrome (DS). However, cardiovascular side effects associated with the use of high doses of fenfluramine for weight loss have caused some reluctance among clinicians to use the drug in the treatment of DS. Data regarding CV safety with fenfluramine and its long-term efficacy are rapidly emerging, and clinicians should be aware of the implications for the management of DS and associated safety monitoring.

Join moderator and neurologist Dr. Joseph Sullivan and echocardiography expert Dr. Pierre Wong as they discuss the benefit-risk ratio of fenfluramine in DS patients as compared to earlier studies in obese adults. The panelists will review monitoring and reporting requirements that ensure fenfluramine is prescribed safely and share strategies to effectively communicate that information to patients and their caregivers.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
• Discuss the place of fenfluramine in the current treatment algorithm of DS
• Review safety data from clinical trials with fenfluramine for the management of children with DS and their impact on patient monitoring and communications to patients and caregivers
• Compare cardiovascular safety of fenfluramine as an agent for weight loss or DS