title: Atomoxetine in the treatment of binge-eating disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Binge-eating disorder (BED) is associated with obesity. Atomoxetine is a highly selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor associated with weight loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate atomoxetine in the treatment of BED.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 10-week, single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible dose (40-120 mg/day) trial, outpatients with DSM-IV-TR BED received atomoxetine or placebo. The primary outcome measure was binge-eating episode frequency. The primary analysis of efficacy was a longitudinal analysis of the intent-to-treat sample, with treatment-by-time interaction as the effect measure. Patients were enrolled from September 2004 through October 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with placebo (N = 20), atomoxetine (N = 20) was associated with a significantly greater rate of reduction in binge-eating episode frequency, as well as in binge day frequency, weight, body mass index, and scores on the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Binge Eating obsession sub-scale, and Three Factor Eating Questionnaire hunger subscale. The mean (SD) atomoxetine daily dose at endpoint evaluation was 106 (21) mg/day. Four patients (N = 3 receiving atomoxe-tine, N = 1 receiving placebo) discontinued because of adverse events. The reasons for atomoxetine discontinuation were increased depressive symptoms (N = 1), constipation (N = 1), and nervousness (N = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atomoxetine was efficacious and fairly well tolerated in the short-term treatment of BED.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00327834.
authors: Psychopharmacology Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH 45267-0559, USA. susan.mcelroy@uc.edu
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: McElroy
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Guerdjikova
authors: Renu
authors: R
authors: Kotwal
authors: Jeffrey A
authors: JA
authors: Welge
authors: Erik B
authors: EB
authors: Nelson
authors: Kathleen A
authors: KA
authors: Lake
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Keck
authors: James I
authors: JI
authors: Hudson
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011437:Propylamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride