Could a Weight-Loss drug stop seizures in babies?

NCT ID NCT04289467

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests the drug fenfluramine in 10 children aged 12 to 36 months whose infantile spasms did not get better with standard treatments. The children take fenfluramine for 21 days, and doctors check brain waves and seizure diaries to see if the spasms stop. If it helps, they can continue treatment for up to 6 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

fenfluramine

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for children with hard-to-control infantile spasms.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 10 children. It may not show clear benefit, and fenfluramine can have side effects like heart valve problems.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

developmental and epileptic encephalopathy infantile spasms Spasms, Infantile

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Children's Hospital of Orange County

    RECRUITING

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • UCLA Health

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact