| Title | Variegate porphyria in a 46-year-old patient taking sibutramine for weight loss. | | Author(s) | Reiser M, Eickmann S, Haverkamp T, Finckh U | | Institution | Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Klinikum Vest GmbH - Paracelsus-Klinik Marl, Marl, Germany. | | Source | Obes Rev 2009 Oct 21. | | Abstract | Summary The acute hepatic porphyrias can cause life-threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms that mimic other acute medical conditions. Variegate porphyria caused by mutations in the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) gene is a latent disorder characterized by exacerbations induced by fasting, alcohol consumption or certain drugs. We describe the case of a 46-year-old female patient presenting with a first episode of symptomatic porphyria after 10 d of sibutramine treatment for weight loss. Genetic analysis showed a heterozygous R168H hot spot mutation in the PPOX gene. A putative effect of sibutramine on the hepatic haem biosynthetic pathway and reduced food intake have likely caused this exacerbation of a porphyria attack. Although this may be the first case report of this kind, the risk of acute porphyria should be considered in patients using pharmacotherapy for obesity. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19845869 |
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