Growing evidence suggests that pharmacotherapy may be beneficial for some patients with binge eating disorder (BED), an eating disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of uncontrollable consumption of abnormally large amounts of food without inappropriate weight loss behaviors. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of BED and review the rationales and data supporting the effectiveness of specific medications or medication classes in treating patients with BED. We conclude by summarizing these data, discussing the role of pharmacotherapy in the BED treatment armamentarium, and suggesting future areas for research.
Although acamprosate did not separate from placebo on any outcome variable in the longitudinal analysis, results of the endpoint and completer analyses suggest the drug may have some utility in BED.
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.
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