Weight gain and withdrawal symptoms after smoking cessation: a preventive intervention using d-fenfluramine

Health Psychol. 1991;10(3):216-23. doi: 10.1037//0278-6133.10.3.216.

Abstract

Directly measured food intake in 31 overweight female smokers to test whether (a) calorie and carbohydrate intakes increase after smoking cessation and (b) double-blind d-fenfluramine (30 mg), a serotonin-releasing drug, suppresses weight gain, overeating, and dysphoric mood associated with stopping smoking. Placebo-treated patients grew dysphoric after smoking withdrawal and ate 300 kcal/day more from 2 to 28 days after, showing a 3.5-lb weight gain. Fat and protein intakes did not change, but carbohydrate intake increased (30% to 40%). D-fenfluramine prevented postcessation dysphoria. Although drug-treated patients ate more carbohydrate snacks just after quitting, they returned to baseline by 4 weeks, showing a 1.8-lb weight loss. Agents that enhance brain serotonin-mediated neurotransmission may help prevent weight gain, overeating, and dysphoric mood after smoking withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect / drug effects
  • Arousal / drug effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fenfluramine / administration & dosage*
  • Food Preferences / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Personality Inventory
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects*

Substances

  • Fenfluramine