Aspartame-lnduced Granulomatous Panniculitis
Authors: NELSON LEE NOVICK
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1985)

Brief Reports1 February 1985Aspartame-lnduced Granulomatous PanniculitisNELSON LEE NOVICK, M.D.NELSON LEE NOVICK, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-102-2-206 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe Low-Calorie Artificial Sweetener, aspartame (NutraSweet; G.D. Searle & Co., Skokie, Illinois), a synthetic combination of aspartic acid and the methyl ester of phenylalanine, is currently used in many diet sodas, cereals, and chewing gums and as a substitute for granulated sugar. Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved aspartame for routine use (except in patients with phenylketonuria), its potential for toxicity remains controversial (1-4). This report describes the first confirmed case of aspartame-induced granulomatous panniculitis.A 22-year-old, otherwise healthy woman had numerous, bilateral, nontender, nodular lesions on both legs for 2 months. The patient denied having used any...References1. KOCH R. Safety of aspartame as a sweetener [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1975;292:596. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. STURTEVANT F. Aspartame, a new sweetening agent: toxicological questions discussed at a scientific hearing. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1980;1:1-2. Google Scholar3. POTTSBLOSSNUTTING WJE. Biological properties of aspartame: I. Evaluation of central nervous system effects. J Environ Pathol Toxicol. 1980;3:341-53. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. WURTMAN R. Neurochemical changes following high-dose aspartame with dietary carbohydrates [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1983;309:429-30. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. ASPINALLSAUNDERSPAUTSCHNUTTING RRWE. The biological properties of aspartame: V. Effects on a variety of physiological parameters related to inflamation and metabolism. J Environ Pathol Toxicol. 1980;3:387-95. MedlineGoogle Scholar6. RENWICK A. The fate of non-nutrative sweeteners in the body. In: GRENBY TH, PARKER KJ, LINDLEY MG, eds. Developments in Sweeteners. Vol. 2. New York: Applied Publishers; 1983:209. Google Scholar7. SOTERBADEN NH. Pathophysiology of Dermatologie Diseases. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company; 1984:308-14. Google Scholar8. LEVERSCHAUMBURG-LEVER WG. Histopathology of the Skin. 6th ed. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1983:245-58. Google Scholar9. BOEHMBADA MJ. Racemization of aspartic acid and phenylalanine in the sweetener aspartame at 1000C. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1984;81:5263-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByArtificial sweetenersDrug ReactionsAre Excipients Really Inert Ingredients? A Review of Adverse Reactions to Excipients in Oral Dermatologic Medications in CanadaReport of the meeting on Aspartame with National ExpertsAdverse immunological effects of drugs other than anticance drugs and drugs used in immunologyCutaneous mucinosesPanniculitisLow-calorie Sweeteners and Other Sugar Substitutes: A Review of the Safety IssuesArtificial sweetenersAdverse reactions to food additivesAspartame: Review of SafetyIssues in the Formulation of Drugs for Oral Use in ChildrenMiscellaneous drugs, materials, and medical devicesReplyA combined single-blind, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the reproducibility of hypersensitivity reactions to aspartameAspartame-induced lobular panniculitisClinical and Legal Aspects of Nonphysician Prescription of Vitamins, Amino Acids, and Other Nutritional SupplementsPharmaceutical ExcipientsAspartame and HeadacheMonitoring of Adverse Reactions to Aspartame Reported to the U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationAspartame and Susceptibility to HeadacheNatural food constituents and food additives: The pharmacologic connectionIntestinal hydrolysis of aspartylphenylalanine—The metabolic product of aspartameMigraine Provoked by AspartameAspartame-lnduced UrticariaANTHONY KULCZYCKI Jr., M.D.Miscellaneous drugs and agents 1 February 1985Volume 102, Issue 2Page: 206-207KeywordsAdverse reactionsAspartameDermatologyDietFood and Drug AdministrationLesionsPhenylalaninePhenylketonuriaToxicity Issue Published: 1 February 1985 PDF DownloadLoading ...