Chronic Fenfluramine Administration: Some Cerebral Effects

BMJPublished 10 July 1971Open access

S. A. Lewis, Ian Oswald, D. L. F. Dunleavy

DOI10.1136/bmj.3.5766.67

Citations54

TL;DR

Human cerebral function was monitored electrophysiologically during sleep over a period of months before, during, and after the intake of fenfluramine, 40-120 mg/day, causing dose-related reduction of paradoxical sleep, increase of intra-sleep restlessness, and changes in E.G.E. slow-wave sleep.

Abstract

Human cerebral function was monitored electrophysiologically during sleep over a period of months before, during, and after the intake of fenfluramine, 40-120 mg/day. Effects included dose-related reduction of paradoxical sleep, increase of intra-sleep restlessness, and changes in E.E.G. slow-wave sleep. It is hypothesized that weight loss may be associated with increase of the last. Grinding of teeth (bruxism) also was noted.Long-term studies make it possible to demonstrate changing central effects with time, including tolerance phenomena. Withdrawal abnormalities are related to the time taken for the drug to be eliminated-in the present case reaching a maximum four days after withdrawal.

Keywords

Medicine

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