Fused indole derivatives

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I

• wherein
• R1 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl and hydroxyalkyl, wherein hydroxyalkyl or al alkoxyalkyl are optionally independently substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy and hydroxy;
• R3 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• and
• n is 1, 2 or 3;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof provided that at least one of R1 and R3 is fluoro when R2 is methyl, and a therapeutically inert carrier.

A method of modulating 5-HT2 receptors in a mammal comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• wherein
• R1 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl and hydroxyalkyl, wherein hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl are optionally independently substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy and hydroxy;
• R3 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• and
• n is 1, 2 or 3;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, provided that at least one of R1 and R3 is fluoro when R2 is methyl, to a mammal in need of such modulation.

A method of treatment of eating disorders and obesity comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• wherein
• R1 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl and hydroxyalkyl, wherein hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl are optionally independently substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy and hydroxy;
• R3 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• and
• n is 1, 2 or 3;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, provided that at least one of R1 and R3 is fluoro when R2 is methyl, to a patient in need of such treatment.

A method of treatment of diabetes mellitus, Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, diabetes secondary to pancreatic disease, diabetes related to steroid use, Type III diabetes, diabetes insipidus, hyperglycaemia, diabetic complications and insulin resistance comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• wherein
• R1 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl and hydroxyalkyl, wherein hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl are optionally independently substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy and hydroxy;
• R3 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• and
• n is 1, 2 or 3;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, provided that at least one of R1 and R3 is fluoro when R2 is methyl, to a patient in need of such treatment.

A method of treatment of type II diabetes comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• wherein
• R1 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 3-oxetanyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl and hydroxyalkyl, wherein hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl are optionally independently substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy and hydroxy;
• R3 is hydrogen or fluoro;
• R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• and n is 1, 2 or 3;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof provided that at least one of R1 and R3 is fluoro when R2 is methyl, to a patient in need of such treatment.