The role of olanzapine in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of olanzapine in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Literature was obtained through searches of MEDLINE (1966-December 2006), EMBASE (1980-4th Quarter 2006), and PsycINFO (1985-December 2006) and a bibliographic review of published articles. Key terms used in the searches included anorexia nervosa, antipsychotics, eating disorders, olanzapine, and Zyprexa.


METHODS
All English language articles that were identified from the search were evaluated. All primary literature was included in the review.


RESULTS
In several case reports and most clinical trials, patients with anorexia nervosa successfully gained weight while being treated with olanzapine. Moreover, many patients treated with olanzapine achieved a healthy body weight. Case reports and trials identified additional benefits of olanzapine, including reduction in delusional thinking; improvement in body image, sleep, depressive symptoms, adherence to treatment, and eating-disorder symptoms; and decreased agitation and premeal anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary evidence supports the use of olanzapine for treatment of anorexia nervosa by demonstrating that olanzapine 2.5-15 mg daily promotes weight gain and has positive effects on associated psychological symptoms. Limitations of the reported data include small sample size, low completion rate in clinical trials, and open-label trial design. Although olanzapine appears to have a potential role in the treatment of anorexia nervosa that has been unresponsive to other therapy, randomized, placebo-controlled studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to establish its role in therapy.
Dunican
Kaelen C
KC
School of Pharmacy-Worcester, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, MA 01608, USA. Kaelen.Dunican@wor.mcphs.edu
DelDotto
Dana
D
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine