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A Trial of Fenfluramine in the Treatment of the Chronic Alcoholic Patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

N. Krasner ,
M. R. Moore ,
A. Goldberg ,
J. C. D. Booth ,
A. H. Frame  and
A. D. McLaren
N. Krasner
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Materia Medica, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
M. R. Moore
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Materia Medica, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
A. Goldberg
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Materia Medica, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
J. C. D. Booth
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
A. H. Frame
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
A. D. McLaren
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
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Summary

In a double blind trial, 50 male chronic alcoholic patients were treated with either fenfluramine in a dose of 60 mg or 120 mg daily, or with identically prepared placebo tablets. Patients were interviewed on admission to the trial and then at four-weekly intervals for a period of one year and blood levels of delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) and fenfluramine were determined. The efficacy of fenfluramine at the two dose levels was compared with placebo on the basis of the number of lapses indicated by the clinical history and also by alterations in the biochemical indices.

Twenty-seven patients completed the period of observation, there being 9 in each of the three groups. Those receiving 120 mg fenfluramine daily showed significantly fewer lapses than either of the other two groups (p < 0.01) on biochemical but not on clinical criteria. Overall assessment revealed that 3 of the 9 patients receiving the high dose of fenfluramine had a good result during the period of the trial, but there were none in the 60 mg group or in those receiving placebo. More extensive trials of fenfluramine in the treatment of chronic alcoholism are indicated.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 128 , Issue 4 , April 1976 , pp. 346 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1976 

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