Does Sibutramine Increase Tendency For The Development of Pneumonia?

Abstract

40 years old male patient was admitted to the Emergency Department with the typical complaints of pneumonia. Physical examination, laboratory, radiological findings were consistent with community-acquired pneumonia, and the case’s systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 38 mmHg. The case had no predisposing factors and co-morbidites regarding the pneumonia except six months sibutramine therapy for weight loss. Sibutramine, a combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, had some side effects including bronchitis and dyspnea. Therefore, the aim of this report is to consider sibutramine serotonergic action mechanism due to may cause pulmonary hypertension, and it may increase the tendency for pneumonia.