Tesofensine
NS2330 · Tesomet (with metformin)
Popular for:Weight loss, triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor, appetite suppression
51
Total Studies
39
Human Studies
Phase II
Evidence Level
Investigational
FDA Status
Overview
Tesofensine is a serotonin-noradrenaline-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI) originally developed by NeuroSearch for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. During neurological trials, researchers noticed significant weight loss as a side effect, pivoting the drug toward obesity treatment.
Phase II trials showed remarkable results: up to 12.8% body weight loss over 6 months at the 1.0 mg dose — more than double most approved obesity drugs at the time. It works through a completely different mechanism than GLP-1 agonists, reducing appetite and increasing satiety through triple monoamine reuptake inhibition rather than gut hormone signaling.
Mechanism of Action
Tesofensine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine — the three major monoamine neurotransmitters involved in appetite regulation and reward. By increasing the availability of all three simultaneously, it reduces hunger, enhances satiety, and may reduce food-seeking behavior driven by the dopamine reward system. This triple action distinguishes it from SSRIs or SNRIs that affect only one or two monoamines.
Key Research Benefits
Clinical Evidence Summary
Research Pipeline
51
Total Studies
39
Human Studies
Investigational — Phase III (Saniona). Tesomet (combo with metformin) in trials for Prader-Willi syndrome and hypothalamic obesity. Not yet FDA-approved. Cardiovascular safety is the key regulatory hurdle.
Key Studies / PubMed References
51 studies found on PubMed · showing top 25 by relevance
View all on PubMedStructural basis for pharmacotherapeutic action of triple reuptake inhibitors.
Human StudyLi Y, Meng Y, Li N, et al. · Nature communications · 2025
PMID: 41392177Tesofensine, a novel antiobesity drug, silences GABAergic hypothalamic neurons.
Animal StudyPerez CI, Luis-Islas J, Lopez A, et al. · PloS one · 2024
PMID: 38656972Centrally Acting Agents for Obesity: Past, Present, and Future.
ReviewCoulter AA, Rebello CJ, Greenway FL · Drugs · 2018
PMID: 30014268Approaches for the Development of Drugs for Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.
ReviewMaksimov ML, Svistunov AA, Tarasov VV, et al. · Current pharmaceutical design · 2016
PMID: 26648466New and emerging drug molecules against obesity.
ReviewGeorge M, Rajaram M, Shanmugam E · Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics · 2014
PMID: 24064009Side Effects & Safety
Known Interactions
No curated interaction entry is live for Tesofensine yet.
Until the interaction table is fully populated, use the interaction checker and related peptides below to explore adjacent compounds and likely research pairings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Disclaimer
This page is for research and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Tesofensine is not approved by the FDA for human therapeutic use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The studies referenced are linked to their original PubMed sources for verification.