An open trial of fluoxetine for adolescents with bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
This open clinical trial examined the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of treating adolescents who suffer from bulimia nervosa with fluoxetine.


METHODS
Ten adolescents, ages 12-18 years received 8 weeks of fluoxetine 60 mg/day with supportive psychotherapy. Primary outcome measures included frequencies of binge eating and purging and ratings on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I). Secondary outcome measures included self-report measures of eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Safety and tolerability of this dose of fluoxetine were also assessed.


RESULTS
Average weekly binges decreased significantly from 4.1 +/- 3.8 to 0 (p < 0.01). Average weekly purges decreased significantly from 6.4 +/- 5.2 to 0.4 +/- 0.9 (p < 0.005). All patients improved on the CGI-I scale, with 20% rated as much improved, 50% improved, and 30% slightly improved. All subjects tolerated the 60-mg dose of fluoxetine, and there were no dropouts due to adverse effects from the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluoxetine is generally well tolerated and may be an effective treatment option for adolescents with bulimia nervosa.
Kotler
Lisa A
LA
Department of Child Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA. kotlerl@childpsych.columbia.edu
Devlin
Michael J
MJ
Davies
Mark
M
Walsh
B Timothy
BT
D000293:Adolescent; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine