Long-term fluoxetine treatment of bulimia nervosa. Fluoxetine Bulimia Nervosa Research Group.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A large collaborative 8-week study has shown fluoxetine to be effective and safe in treating patients with bulimia nervosa. The present study evaluated fluoxetine over 16 weeks.

METHOD:

Fifteen US out-patient psychiatry clinics conducted a double-blind parallel study in men and women with DSM-III-R bulimia nervosa (483 patients entered, 398 randomised [3:1 ratio, fluoxetine 60 mg/day or placebo], 225 completed). Outcome measures included change in vomiting and binge-eating episodes per week. Eating Disorder Inventory, Clinical Global Impressions and Patient's Global Impression.

RESULTS:

Compared with placebo, fluoxetine treatment resulted in significantly greater reductions in vomiting (F[1,360] = 14.73, P < 0.0001) and binge-eating (F[1,360] = 14.39, P = 0.0002) episodes per week at endpoint and improvement in other outcome measures. Adverse event, vital sign and laboratory analyses indicated that fluoxetine was safe.

CONCLUSION:

Fluoxetine appeared to be safe and effective in patients with bulimia nervosa for up to 16 weeks.

• Authors: D J Goldstein, M G Wilson, V L Thompson, J H Potvin, A H Rampey Jr
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 166 Issue 5 Pg. 660-6 (May 1995) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 7620754 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Fluoxetine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Appetite Regulation (drug effects)
• Bulimia (drug therapy, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Feeding Behavior (drug effects)
• Female
• Fluoxetine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Long-Term Care
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Personality Inventory
• Treatment Outcome