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Yun, Park, Yu, and Choi: A Case of Phendimetrazine Induced-Psychotic Disorder and Dependence
Case Report

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2013; 52(5): 402-405.

Published online: 30 September 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2013.52.5.402

A Case of Phendimetrazine Induced-Psychotic Disorder and Dependence

Ji-Ae Yun, MD, Wu-Ri Park, MD, Je-Chun Yu, MD, Kyeong-Sook Choi, MD, PhD

Department of Psychiatry, Eulji University School of Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Kyeong-Sook Choi, MD, PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Eulji University School of Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, 1306 Dunsanseo-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 302-799, Korea. Tel: +82-42-611-3442, Fax: +82-42-611-3445, cksinj@eulji.ac.kr

Received 2 May 2013       Revised 25 June 2013       Accepted 27 July 2013

Copyright © 2013 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Phendimetrazine and related amphetamine-like compounds are used widely as appetite suppressants in Korea. We report on a patient who developed psychotic disorder and dependence while using phendimetrazine. A 25-year-old female with no psychiatric history began experiencing hallucination of bugs after using phendimetrazine for weight loss for five months. She was admitted and the drug was stopped. Three days later, her psychotic symptoms had subsided and she returned home. Two months after discharge, against medical advice, she returned to a clinic to obtain phendimetrazine for its anorectic effect. She continued using phendimetrazine because she had developed withdrawal symptoms and experienced cravings for it. Within two months of restarting the drug, she had developed paranoid delusions, auditory and olfactory hallucinations. She was readmitted, and was confirmed to have a dependence on phendimetrazine. This case provides a warning that amphetamine-related anorectics can cause psychotic disorder and dependence.

Keywords: Anorectics, Dependence, Phendimetrazine, Psychotic disorder

Notes

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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