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

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Abstract
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.