Fluvoxamine: an open pilot study in moderately obese female patients suffering from atypical eating disorders and episodes of bingeing.
The results of a small pilot study using Fluvoxamine (Faverin) in the treatment of non-vomiting bingeing female patients and women with bulimia nervosa is presented. Ten non-vomiting subjects and six with bulimia nervosa were treated on an open basis with Fluvoxamine 100-200 mg daily. Assessment was made using established questionnaires for severity of eating disorder and abnormality of mood. Five non-vomiting patients and three with bulimia nervosa completed the study. Non-vomiters showed a significant weight loss; a significant reduction in number of binges; a significant reduction in the scores on the BITE and the EAT; and a significant reduction in anxiety. Those with bulimia nervosa had a significant reduction in hunger and a reduction in depression which tended towards significance. Firm conclusions cannot be drawn from this study as it is an open pilot study of a small number of women. However, the results indicate that Fluvoxamine may have a role in the treatment of eating disorders where bingeing is a prominent symptom and that further research would be valuable. Comments are also made on the usefulness of various questionnaires designed to assess eating disorders.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, UK.
H M
HM
Gardiner
C P
CP
Freeman
D K
DK
Jesinger
S A
SA
Collins
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting; D015431:Weight Loss
D016666:Fluvoxamine