The effects of chronic treatment with fencamfamine on body weight, food intake and stereotyped behaviour in rats.

The effects of chronic treatment with fencamfamine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline were studied in rats. Chronic fencamfamine treatment reduced body weight of rats below their normal body weight. Thereafter, weight increased, in parallel to that of control rats. There was an increasing trend in food intake in both groups and a reduction was observed in food intake on the first seven days of fencamfamine-treated rats. Fencamfamine repeated administration enhanced stereotyped sniffing while rearing behaviour gradually declined until 25 days. However, the same treatment did not interfere with the intensity of stereotypy. These findings suggest the need for a re-evaluation of current concept in the tolerance to the effects of fencamfamine and other stimulant drugs.