Pregnancy outcomes after first trimester exposure to phentermine/fenfluramine.
BACKGROUND
Fenfluramine was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 because of its association with cardiac-valve abnormalities in adults. The combination of fenfluramine and phentermine had been widely used to promote weight loss, and many women were inadvertently exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The possible effect on the developing fetus has not been studied.


METHODS
Controlled prospective cohort study comparing 98 women who had taken phentermine/fenfluramine to 233 women who had not, all of whom contacted the California Teratogen Information Service during pregnancy.


RESULTS
The proportion of liveborn infants with major structural anomalies was similar in the two groups (3.6% vs. 1.0%, relative risk (RR) 3.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61, 21.10), as was the proportion of infants with >or=3 minor anomalies (11.7% vs. 7.6%, RR 1.53; 95% CI 0.61, 3.82). Furthermore, no pattern of malformation was identified. There were no significant differences between the groups in spontaneous pregnancy loss (6.1% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.65) or premature delivery (8.6% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.95). Birth weight and head circumference were significantly increased in the exposed group; however, these differences were not associated with anorexiant use itself. The rate of gestational diabetes was significantly increased in pregnant women who took phentermine/fenfluramine during the first trimester of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is not possible from this study to rule out weak to moderate associations, the lack of an increased risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss, and major or minor anomalies in the offspring of women who took phentermine/fenfluramine at the recommended daily dose during the first trimester of pregnancy is reassuring.
Jones
Kenneth Lyons
KL
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Dysmorphology and Teratology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. klyons@ucsd.edu
Johnson
Kathleen A
KA
Dick
Lyn M
LM
Felix
Robert J
RJ
Kao
Kelly K
KK
Chambers
Christina D
CD
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010645:Phentermine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D005277:Fenfluramine; D010645:Phentermine