ADVERSE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEXFENFLURAMINE AND FENFLURAMINE

1. There is a large body of evidence indicating that fenfluramines dam age brain serotonin neurons in animals. 2. Little is known about poten tial adverse neuropsychiatric consequences in humans associated with u se of fenfluramines that could potentially be related to serotonergic dysfunction. 3. The authors now report numerous cases of severe and, s ometimes persistent, neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with fenflu ramine use. 4. Thirty one representative cases are presented and summa rized in table form.5. Several of the cases presented suggest long-las ting deleterious effects of fenfluramines on brain serotonin function. 6. Clinicians should be vigilant for disorders of mood, anxiety, cogn itive function and impulse control in patients previously exposed to f enfluramines.