[Drug fever caused by the antidepressive agent nomifensine (Alival)].

During 1979 4 patients were observed who developed short episodes of fever as high as 104 degrees F after oral intake of 25--100 mg nomifensine (Alival). In all four cases a clear fever spike was produced by reexposure to the drug. The reaction time was 4--6 hours. this drug-induced fever appeared initially 2--4 weeks after the commencement of Alival therapy. No other cause for the fever was identifiable. In one patient an allergic alveolitis was suspected to be a further reaction. In another patient a concomitant granulomatous hepatitis was possibly also due to this drug. It is probable that the febrile reactions have an allergic mechanism. Allergologic investigations have not yet been completed.