Topiramate for the treatment of binge eating disorder associated with obesity: a placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In a single-center, placebo-controlled study, topiramate reduced binge eating and weight in patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity. The current investigation evaluated the safety and efficacy of topiramate in a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.

METHODS:

Eligible patients between 18 and 65 years with >or= 3 binge eating days/week and a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 50 kg/m2 were randomized.

RESULTS:

A total of 407 patients enrolled; 13 failed to meet inclusion criteria, resulting in 195 topiramate and 199 placebo patients. Topiramate reduced binge eating days/week (-3.5 +/- 1.9 vs. -2.5 +/- 2.1), binge episodes/week (-5.0 +/- 4.3 vs. -3.4 +/- 3.8), weight (-4.5 +/- 5.1 kg vs. .2 +/- 3.2 kg), and BMI (-1.6 +/- 1.8 kg/m2 vs. .1 +/- 1.2 kg/m2) compared with placebo (p < .001). Topiramate induced binge eating remission in 58% of patients (placebo, 29%; p < .001). Discontinuation rates were 30% in each group; adverse events (AEs) were the most common reason for topiramate discontinuation (16%; placebo, 8%). Paresthesia, upper respiratory tract infection, somnolence, and nausea were the most common AEs with topiramate.

CONCLUSIONS:

This multicenter study in patients with BED associated with obesity demonstrated that topiramate was well tolerated and efficacious in improving the features of BED and in reducing obesity.

• Authors: Susan L McElroy, James I Hudson, Julie A Capece, Karen Beyers, Alan C Fisher, Norman R Rosenthal, Topiramate Binge Eating Disorder Research Group
• Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 61 Issue 9 Pg. 1039-48 (May 01 2007) ISSN: 0006-3223 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17258690 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Obesity Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Body Mass Index
• Bulimia Nervosa (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fructose (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (drug therapy, etiology, psychology)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Topiramate
• Treatment Outcome