Pharmacologic treatment of eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Eating disorders are a serious group of conditions that affect 3% of women in industrialized nations over their lifetimes. Recent years have seen considerable progress in the treatment of these disorders. This article reviews the current body of evidence for the pharmacologic treatment of eating disorders.


METHODS
We undertook a literature review.


RESULTS
For patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), drug trials have been disappointing. In contrast, numerous studies have demonstrated a clear role for antidepressants in the treatment of bulimia nervosa (BN). Pharmacologic investigations of binge eating disorder (BED), a more recently defined entity, have identified several promising drugs. There is also support for the utility of combined medication and psychotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Continued research efforts are necessary, particularly regarding the long-term effects of therapy and the development of new pharmacologic strategies.
Zhu
April J
AJ
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Walsh
B Timothy
BT
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs