A placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study of naltrexone hydrochloride in outpatients with normal weight bulimia.
The endogenous opioid system plays an important role in the control of feeding behavior. Previous research has shown that antagonism of endogenous opioids will suppress feeding in certain models in both human and infrahuman species. In the current study, 16 normal-weight bulimic women were treated with low-dose naltrexone, the long-acting, orally active narcotic antagonist, and placebo in a crossover design. The use of the active drug was not associated with a clinically significant reduction in binge eating or vomiting episodes. Suggestions for further research in this area are offered.
Mitchell
J E
JE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Christenson
G
G
Jennings
J
J
Huber
M
M
Thomas
B
B
Pomeroy
C
C
Morley
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011897:Random Allocation
D009271:Naltrexone