Pharmacologic treatment of binge eating disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To review the findings from pharmacologic trials of binge eating disorder (BED) and to provide guidelines for pharmacologic treatment.


METHODS
The literature was searched for studies of pharmacologic treatment of BED and related conditions, such as nonpurging bulimia nervosa.


RESULTS
Placebo-controlled studies of desipramine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, dexfenfluramine, sibutramine, and topiramate have demonstrated the efficacy of these agents in the treatment of BED. An open trial of venlafaxine has offered preliminary evidence for the efficacy of this medication. Guidelines for pharmacologic management of BED are provided.


CONCLUSIONS
The literature offers support for the use of agents from three categories of medication (antidepressants, appetite suppressants, and anticonvulsants) in the treatment of BED.
Carter
William P
WP
Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. wpcarter@partners.org
Hudson
James I
JI
Lalonde
Justine K
JK
Pindyck
Lindsay
L
McElroy
Susan L
SL
Pope
Harrison G
HG
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors