A Review of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Bulimia Nervosa

Abstract

Successful treatment of eating disorders often includes drug therapy along with psychotherapy and nutritional counseling. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are attractive agents for use in eating disorders due to their favorable side effect profiles. Currently, fluoxetine is the only FDA approved agent for treatment of bulimia nervosa; however, fluvoxamine has also been studied for use in this disorder. This review examines the evidence for the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in bulimia, and summarizes the pharmacokinetics, side effects, and drug interactions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors available in the United States.

Editorial

“…In a sense, the term “eating” disorder is misleading since these entities are essentially psychologic rather than dietary in etiology. Papers in this issue by Klapper 4 and Kirby 5 outline psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacotherapeutic aspects of care in eating disorders. A multidisciplinary team effort combining expertise and integrating modalities from medicine, nutrition, and psychiatry allows the normalization of nutritional status while addressing underlying dysfunction, and is the most effective approach to treatment.…”