Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
-
J Clin Psychopharmacol · Dec 1986
Case Reports Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialUntoward effects of fenfluramine in autistic children.
Several recent studies have described the benefits of fenfluramine for the symptomatic treatment of infantile autism. No large surveys of side effects of this drug have been reported in autistic children. To evaluate the untoward effects of fenfluramine in children with autism, 12 subjects were systematically studied. ⋯ Irritability, agitation, and crying along with continued food refusal were noted. The subjects lost 2.1% of body weight during active drug phase, but there was a rebound weight gain during the subsequent placebo phase. A thorough understanding of fenfluramine's side effects and adverse reactions is necessary so as to differentiate them from the multiple symptoms inherent in the syndrome of autism.