title: Treating bulimia with desipramine. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: A controlled study in patients with bulimia demonstrated a significant benefit from desipramine hydrochloride treatment (91% decrease in binge frequency) in contrast to the results from a placebo (19% increase in frequency). When patients originally taking the placebo crossed over to desipramine therapy, their frequency of binges decreased 84%, so that the overall improvement was 87% fewer binges. Global clinical status improved 3.5 scales, Zung depression scores improved 8.0 points, and a bulimia symptom scale improved 14.7 points. Fifteen (68%) of 22 patients attained complete abstinence from binge eating and purging. The presence or absence of previous episodes of anorexia nervosa did not influence the treatment response. One-month follow-up data indicated persistence of the benefit attained.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D003891:Desipramine