Fenfluramine in Prader-Willi syndrome: a double blind, placebo controlled trial

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 112 - 114
• Main Authors: Selikowitz, M, Sunman, J, Pendergast, A, Wright, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01-01-1990; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aggression; Aggressive behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight - drug effects; Care and treatment; Child; Child Behavior - drug effects; Child, Preschool; Childhood eating disorders; Double-Blind Method; Drug therapy; Eating disorders in children; Female; Fenfluramine; Fenfluramine - therapeutic use; General and cellular metabolism. Vitamins; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Obesity; Pediatrics; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Placebos; Prader-Willi syndrome; Prader-Willi Syndrome - drug therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Self Destructive Behavior; Side effects; Endocrinopathy; Human; Obesity; Feeding behavior; Body weight; Anorectic; Aggressiveness; Prader Labhard Willi syndrome
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.65.1.112

A double blind trial was conducted to determine the effect of fenfluramine on the weight and behaviour of patients with the Prader-Willi syndrome. Fifteen subjects, aged 5.5 to 27 years, received the placebo and the active drug, each for a period of six weeks. The dose of fenfluramine varied according to the age of the patient. Treatment with fenfluramine was associated with significant weight loss, improvement in food related behaviour, and a decrease in aggressive behaviour directed towards others. Skin picking and other self mutilation were unaffected by the drug. None of the subjects suffered from any side effects while taking the drug. These findings suggest that short term treatment with fenfluramine may have a role in the management of some patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. It could be used during periods when exposure to large amounts of food cannot be avoided and aggressive behaviour is particularly difficult to contain. It may also be useful in those whose lives are threatened by the complications of obesity.