Klin Farmakol Farm. 2006;20(3):158-161

Serious acquired valvular defects following the use of anorectics-antidepressants - possible risks of long-term pharmacotherapy of obesity and depression

doc. MUDr. Juraj Hrnčiar CSc, František Kovář, Pavol Kmeč, Mária Hrnčiarová

Interná klinika, Nemocnica F. D. Roosvelta, Banská Bystrica

A case is reported of serious acquired aortic valve defect in a 51-year-old man who has never experienced rheumatic fever nor any other inflammatory disease of the endocardium. In the course of a long-term follow-up for WPW syndrome, the valvular defect was not present and it must have developed during the past four years when the patient used third generation SSRI antidepressants for two years as well as benzodiazepine anxiolytics (Xanax tablets). An overview of literature on acquired valvular defects following the use of anorectics-antidepressants is presented. Acquired valvular defects due to the action of excess serotonin in tissues seem to result not only from anorectics such as fenteramie and fenfluramie, but also from anorectics and antidepressants of the third generation acting by selective serotonin (SSRI) and norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibition at synapses and nerve endings in tissues; the literature, however, still fails to mention these risks.

Keywords: Key words: depression, obesity, anorectics, antidepressants, serotonin, acquired valvular defects.

Published: January 1, 2007  Show citation