Phenelzine vs placebo in 50 patients with bulimia.
To examine the efficacy of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine sulfate in the treatment of bulimia, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. In 50 women who completed the trial, phenelzine was significantly superior to placebo in the reduction of binge frequency (64% vs 5%), in the fraction of patients who had ceased bingeing at the end of the trial (35% vs 4%), and in several measures of psychological state. The superiority of phenelzine over placebo was not confined to a depressed subgroup of patients. Although no patient experienced a hypertensive crisis during the study, other side effects of phenelzine were problematic and limit the usefulness of phenelzine in this population.
Walsh
B T
BT
New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Gladis
M
M
Roose
S P
SP
Stewart
J W
JW
Stetner
F
F
Glassman
A H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D010919:Placebos; D010624:Phenelzine