Volume 2015, 2015, Article number 120679
(Review)
a Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
b School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
c Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Rome, Italy
b School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
c Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Abstract
Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications. © 2015 F. Saverio Bersani et al.
Indexed keywords
EMTREE drug terms: amphetamine derivative; antiobesity agent; caffeine; carbamazepine; clomipramine; clozapine; Ephedra sinica extract; fenfluramine; fenugreek extract; fluvoxamine; ginseng extract; guarana extract; herbaceous agent; herbal weight loss product; imipramine; ispagula; lithium; monoamine oxidase inhibitor; norclomipramine; phenelzine; phenothiazine derivative; placebo; psychotropic agent; Rhodiola extract; serotonin uptake inhibitor; sibutramine; thyroid hormone; tricyclic antidepressant agent; unclassified drug; unindexed drug; yohimbine
EMTREE medical terms: abnormal thinking; amnesia; anorexia; anxiety disorder; asthenia; asthma; body weight; confusion; controlled clinical trial (topic); depersonalization; depression; diet supplementation; disease association; disease exacerbation; drug dependence; drug dose escalation; drug effect; drug megadose; drug monitoring; drug safety; drug seeking behavior; drug use; drug withdrawal; Ephedra sinica; euphoria; exercise; fatigue; fenugreek; food intake; ginseng; glucose tolerance; guarana; hallucination; health promotion; heart palpitation; herbal medicine; human; insomnia; lifestyle; mania; medicinal plant; mental disease; mental health; mental instability; meta analysis (topic); mood disorder; nausea; nervousness; neurosis; neurotoxicity; obesity; orthostatic hypotension; panic; patient counseling; Pausinystalia; personality disorder; Plantago; Plantago psyllium; psychosis; Review; Rhodiola rosea; risk; serotonin syndrome; single drug dose; sleep disorder; somnolence; substance use; symptom; weight gain; weight reduction
Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers: caffeine, 58-08-2; carbamazepine, 298-46-4, 8047-84-5; clomipramine, 17321-77-6, 303-49-1; clozapine, 5786-21-0; fenfluramine, 404-82-0, 458-24-2; fluvoxamine, 54739-18-3; imipramine, 113-52-0, 50-49-7; ispagula, 77462-61-4, 8063-16-9; lithium, 7439-93-2; norclomipramine, 303-48-0; phenelzine, 156-51-4, 51-71-8; sibutramine, 106650-56-0; yohimbine, 146-48-5, 65-19-0
