§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of side effects and addiction caused by appetite suppressant drugs. [29307]
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§ Mr. SackvilleThere are currently five drug substances licensed for use as appetite suppressants— dexfenfluramine, diethylproprion, fenfluramine, mazindol, and phenteramine. All these medicines have a stimulatory effect on the nervous system and it is recognised that long-term use may lead to dependence. Appetite suppressants are only indicated for short-term use, limited to a maximum of three to six months. The numbers of adverse drug reactions reported through the yellow card scheme for these medicines are shown in the table. A report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. The larger number of reactions with dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine reflects their wider usage and the five drugs cannot be compared directly using these figures.
Other than dependence, recognised adverse reactions to appetite suppressants include systematic and pulmonary hypertension, insomnia, agitation, depression, psychosis, diarrhoea, headache and rash. These effects are included in the product information on these medicines provided to doctors.
Adverse reactions reported to the Medicines Control Agency for appetite suppressants Drug Total number of reactions Number of reactions indication dependence Dexfenfluramine 1,518 12 Diethylpropion 350 35 Fenfluramine 1,071 30 Mazindol 410 0 Phenteramine 202 3