Topiramate use in obese patients with binge eating disorder: an open study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess topiramate's efficacy and tolerability in a group of obese binge eaters with no neuropsychiatric comorbidity.

METHOD:

We consecutively selected 8 obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and no medical or psychiatric comorbidity from individuals seeking treatment for obesity. Treatment with topiramate at 150 mg daily was administered over a 16-week period. To assess outcome, we employed the days with binge episodes per week (DBE), the Binge Eating Scale (BES), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and body weight evaluation.

RESULTS:

Of the 6 patients who completed the trial, all showed reduced binge eating. Four patients presented a total remission, and 2 had a marked reduction in binge eating frequency. The mean DBE decreased significantly from 4.3 to 1.1 (P = 0.03), as did the BES scores, which fell from 31.8 to 15.3 (P = 0.04). Moreover, there was a statistically significant weight loss (mean 4.1 kg, P = 0.04). The most frequent side effects were paresthesias, fatigue, and somnolence.

CONCLUSION:

Topiramate may be an effective and well-tolerated agent in the treatment of BED in obese patients.

• Authors: Jose C Appolinario, Leonardo F Fontenelle, Marcelo Papelbaum, João R Bueno, Walmir Coutinho
• Journal: Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (Can J Psychiatry) Vol. 47 Issue 3 Pg. 271-3 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0706-7437 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11987480 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Obesity Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bulimia (drug therapy, psychology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Fructose (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Obesity (drug therapy, psychology)
• Personality Inventory
• Topiramate
• Treatment Outcome
• Weight Loss (drug effects)