Drug Treatment for Bulimia nervosa

Clinical psychopharmacology of eating disorders: a research update

“…Finally, as shown on Table 2, most agents only have one RCT published and it is also likely there is publication bias (Bacaltchuk & Hay, 2003). A large (n=300) negative trial of 150-300 mg fluvoxamine remains published only in secondary reports (Corcos et al 1996 ;Freeman, 1998).…”

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa:

“…However, research studies to date have not been able to justify their use in bulimia unless the patient has another disorder requiring the use of these medications (Freeman, 1998;Kaplan et al, 1983).…”

“…The reported increased efficacy of antidepressant medications in bulimia versus anorexia nervosa may also reflect the increased numbers of bulimics, allowing increased ease with clinical trials. A number of antidepressant agents have been studied in these patients (Freeman, 1998). Some studies do note improvement in many patients (Mitchell, Raymond, & Specker, 1993;Walsh, 1991).…”

“…Some studies do note improvement in many patients (Mitchell, Raymond, & Specker, 1993;Walsh, 1991). However, most research has been limited by a number of factors such as poor patient descriptions, scanty design details, small sample sizes, variations of the placebo response, failure to study bulimics younger than 18, and others (Freeman, 1998;Yager, 1988). Walsh et al (1988) has reported that phenelzine (60 to 80 mg per day) reduced bulimic episodes over placebo effect.…”

“…The study was stopped after four of the patients had generalized seizures. Trazodone (or Desyrel, 400 mg to 650 mg per day) does decrease bulimic eating by 31% (Pope, Hudson, Jones, & Yurgelun-Todd, 1989) but may worsen bulimic symptomatology in some (Freeman, 1998). Lithium carbonate has not been shown to be effective in a controlled study by Hsu, Clement, Santhouse, and Ju (1991).…”