Current pharmacotherapy options for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Growing evidence indicates binge eating, defined as the consumption of an abnormally large amount of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control, is an important public health problem. Although psychotherapy may be effective, not all patients respond adequately.

AREAS COVERED:

This article provides an overview of bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED), the two conditions characterized by recurrent binge eating as a core feature, and reviews studies of specific medications in treating patients with BN or BED, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

EXPERT OPINION:

Although the evidence base is small, growing data indicate pharmacotherapy may be helpful for some patients with BN or BED. Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are modestly effective for reducing binge eating over the short term in BN and BED. SSRIs may be modestly effective in BN over the long term. Topiramate has consistently been shown to decrease binge eating in BED and BN, but side effects may limit its usefulness. Single RCTs suggest zonisamide and atomoxetine may be effective in BED. Combination therapy may be required for optimal outcomes. It is not yet known whether the binge eating of BN and BED respond similarly to pharmacotherapy.

• Authors: Susan L McElroy, Anna I Guerdjikova, Nicole Mori, Anne M O'Melia
• Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (Expert Opin Pharmacother) Vol. 13 Issue 14 Pg. 2015-26 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1744-7666 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22946772 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressive Agents
• Hormone Antagonists
• Lithium Compounds
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

Topics

• Anti-Obesity Agents (therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Binge-Eating Disorder (drug therapy)
• Bulimia Nervosa (drug therapy)
• Hormone Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Lithium Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Serotonin Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)