Phenelzine vs placebo in 50 patients with bulimia.

Abstract

To examine the efficacy of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine sulfate in the treatment of bulimia, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. In 50 women who completed the trial, phenelzine was significantly superior to placebo in the reduction of binge frequency (64% vs 5%), in the fraction of patients who had ceased bingeing at the end of the trial (35% vs 4%), and in several measures of psychological state. The superiority of phenelzine over placebo was not confined to a depressed subgroup of patients. Although no patient experienced a hypertensive crisis during the study, other side effects of phenelzine were problematic and limit the usefulness of phenelzine in this population.

• Authors: B T Walsh, M Gladis, S P Roose, J W Stewart, F Stetner, A H Glassman
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 45 Issue 5 Pg. 471-5 (May 1988) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 3282482 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Phenelzine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Bulimia (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Depressive Disorder (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (chemically induced)
• Middle Aged
• Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
• Phenelzine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Placebos
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales