DEXFENFLURAMINE IN PSYCHOTIC-PATIENTS

Dexfenfluramine (DF) is contraindicated in severe psychiatric disorder s and in depression. We used DF in 3 patients with chronic psychosis a nd severe overeating without changes in psychiatric pharmacotherapy. T wo patients had paranoid schizophrenic psychosis with hallucinations, one patient mixed psychosis, beginning with lactation psychosis, and s everal attacks of hallucinations and depression later. Overeating was removed in all 3 patients without any negative effect on the psychotic state. All patients were able to maintain their body weight. Two pati ents with poorly controlled diabetes improved markedly their metabolic status. Doses up to 75 mg per day of DF were necessary during binge e ating episodes in one patient. We conclude that DF can be used with ca re under close psychiatric supervision in psychotic patients with seve re overeating. (C) 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.