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Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula C11H14ClN.ClH
Molecular Weight 232.15
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 1 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of LORCASERIN HYDROCHLORIDE ANHYDROUS

SMILES

Cl.C[C@H]1CNCCC2=C1C=C(Cl)C=C2

InChI

InChIKey=ITIHHRMYZPNGRC-QRPNPIFTSA-N
InChI=1S/C11H14ClN.ClH/c1-8-7-13-5-4-9-2-3-10(12)6-11(8)9;/h2-3,6,8,13H,4-5,7H2,1H3;1H/t8-;/m0./s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Description

Lorcaserin, currently marketed under the trade name Belviq and previously Lorqess during development, is a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. Lorcaserin is a selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist, and in vitro testing of the drug showed reasonable selectivity for 5-HT2C over other related targets. 5-HT2C receptors are located almost exclusively in the brain, and can be found in the choroid plexus, cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The activation of 5-HT2C receptors in the hypothalamus is supposed to activate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) production and consequently promote weight loss through satiety. This hypothesis is supported by clinical trials and other studies. While it is generally thought that 5-HT2C receptors help to regulate appetite as well as mood, and endocrine secretion, the exact mechanism of appetite regulation is not yet known. Lorcaserin has shown 100x selectivity for 5-HT2C versus the closely related 5-HT2B receptor, and 17x selectivity over the 5-HT2A receptor

CNS Activity

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency
15.0 nM [Ki]

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Curative
Belviq

PubMed

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
One tablet of 10 mg twice daily
Route of Administration: Oral
In Vitro Use Guide
Lorcaserin was evaluated for its ability to inhibit neurotransmitter uptake into rat brain synaptosomes. Lorcaserin weakly inhibited norepinephrine (EC50 = 2500 nM), serotonin (EC50 = 1400 nM), and dopamine (EC50 = 12,000 nM) uptake.