Evidence of increasing prevalence of amphetamine mis-use, with a conco
mitant increase in intravenous administration of the drug, highlights
the need for better alternatives to the current pharmacological interv
entions available for the treatment of amphetamine withdrawal symptoms
, and prevention of relapse. A number of amphetamine analogues are neu
rotoxic to serotonergic neural pathways. In addition, there is evidenc
e of reduced activity in serotonergic pathways in individuals with ant
isocial personality disorder and substance abuse. We report on the use
of fluoxetine in eight cases of whom four achieved abstinence. Three
cases reported a reduction in amphetamine use and only one reported no
change in the level of use. Control studies are indicated and the use
of fluoxetine in relapse prevention warrants further investigation.