[Severe pulmonary hypertension complicating a long treatment with dexfenfluramine]

The authors report a case of severe pulmonary hypertension after long-term dexfenfluramine treatment in a 48 year old man with no previous medical history. Dexfenfluramine, which has previously been reported to cause pulmonary hypertension, is an amphetamine-like anorexic agent, a pharmacological group known to predispose to this type of side effect. The possibility of this complication should be born in mind before prescribing the drug. In particular, it would seem to be particularly important not to exceed the recommended length of treatment especially as potential reversibility of pulmonary hypertension on withdrawal of the drug has been reported in one case.