• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the change in weight and heart rate associated with the use of phentermine through meta-analysis based on the published literatures. Methods: Eight electronic databases, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and five domestic databases were used to search the literature. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the change in weight and heart rate with the use of phentermine compared with placebo were included in this study. The fixed-effect model weighted by the Mantel-Haenszel method was used in the meta-analysis, and the random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was present. Results: We included 12 studies comprising 677 patients. The change in weight observed with the use of phentermine (SMD = -1.37, 95% CI: -1.55, -1.19) was statistically significant compared with that observed with placebo. As per the subgroup analysis results, the change in weight by publication year, country, phentermine dosage, follow-up check was not heterogeneous. The change in heart rate observed with the use of phentermine (SMD = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.92) was significant compared with that observed with placebo. Conclusions: Weight loss and increased heart rate were confirmed in phentermine compared with placebo.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2022

Objectives Recently, weight loss has emerged as a national concern in South Korea, and this has resulted in an increase in the frequency of use of central nervous system (CNS)-stimulating appetite suppressants. This study aimed to collect cases of psychotic disorders and bipolar disorders triggered by phentermine and phendimetrazine and explore the clinical features and courses. Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed the electronic medical records of patients and selected eight patients who developed psychotic symptoms and manic symptoms for the first time after taking phentermine and phendimetrazine. All cases were reviewed, and their clinical features and course were summarized. Results All eight patients developed psychotic symptoms, and one had accompanying manic symptoms. The final diagnosis was appetite-suppressant-induced psychotic disorder in four patients, schizophrenia in three, and appetite-suppressant-induced bipolar disorder in one. In addition, three patients were diagnosed as having substance-use disorder. The key psychotic symptoms of these patients were hallucinations and paranoia. Conclusions These case findings suggest that phentermine and phendimetrazine can cause psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder and that medical professionals and the public should practice caution when prescribing and using these drugs.