[2] However, they have since been discontinued due to reports of causing cardiovascular conditions such as valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension,[3] adverse effects that are likely to be caused by excessive stimulation of 5-HT2B receptors expressed on heart valves.

[2] Paradoxically, however, it has been shown that levofenfluramine too acts as a relatively potent releaser of serotonin,[10] though with approximately 1/3 of the efficacy of dexfenfluramine.

[2][11] A potential explanation as to why levofenfluramine is not similarly an effective anorectic is that it has also been found to behave as a dopamine receptor antagonist,[12] which, as dopamine antagonists like atypical antipsychotics are associated with causing increased appetite and weight gain—effects that their actions on dopamine receptors have been implicated in playing a role in the development of,[13] is an action that could in theory cancel out the hypothetical serotonergically-mediated appetite suppressant effects of the compound.

Levonorfenfluramine, an active metabolite of levofenfluramine, is also a fairly potent serotonin releasing agent (with a potency of approximately 1/2 that of norfenfluramine and 1/6 that of dexfenfluramine) and, similarly to dexnorfenfluramine, is a 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor agonist, as well as a somewhat less potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (about 1/2 that of its efficacy as a serotonin releaser).

[5][7][10] As such, it likely contributes significantly to the biological activity—though not necessarily appetite suppressant effects—of not only levofenfluramine but of racemic fenfluramine as well.