Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry (생물정신의학)

The Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry (대한생물정신의학회)
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Psychotic Disorder Induced by Appetite Suppressants, Phentermine or Phendimetrazine : A Case Series Study

식욕억제제 Phentermine, Phendimetrazine으로 유발된 정신병적 장애 증례군 연구

  • Kwak, Sookyoung (Department of Psychiatry, Donngguk University Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Youn, Tak (Department of Psychiatry, Donngguk University Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Nam Young (Department of Psychiatry, Donngguk University Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Chung, In Won (Department of Psychiatry, Donngguk University Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Se Hyun (Department of Psychiatry, Donngguk University Ilsan Hospital)
  • 곽숙영 (동국대학교 일산병원 정신건강의학과) ;
  • 윤탁 (동국대학교 일산병원 정신건강의학과) ;
  • 이남영 (동국대학교 일산병원 정신건강의학과) ;
  • 정인원 (동국대학교 일산병원 정신건강의학과) ;
  • 김세현 (동국대학교 일산병원 정신건강의학과)
  • Received : 2017.06.07
  • Accepted : 2017.07.07
  • Published : 2017.08.31
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Abstract

Objectives A retrospective case series study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics of psychotic disorders induced by appetite suppressants, phentermine and phendimetrazine. Methods A retrospective electronic medical record review identified 5 admitted patients who had psychotic symptoms after taking phentermine or phendimetrazine. Clinical information was reviewed and summarized in each case. Results Hallucinations were reported in all cases, including auditory, visual, olfactory and somatic hallucinations. After discontinuation of phentermine or phendimetrazine, the symptoms rapidly improved with low dose of antipsychotics. Patients tended to have less prominent negative symptoms and higher insight into illness, and often showed depressive mood. These clinical characteristics were similar to psychosis induced by amphetamines. Two patients developed stimulant use disorder while using phentermine. Conclusions These findings call for awareness of the risks associated with use of appetite suppressants. Prescription of phentermine or phendimetrazine should be accompanied by close monitoring of mental status, and suspicion for substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder.

Keywords

References

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