The psychopharmacological management of eating disorders in children and adolescents.
In this review we synthesised current literature on the psychopharmacological management of eating disorders (EDs) in children and adolescents (C&As). We focus specifically on anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). The treatment of EDs is determined by physical and psycho-social factors and needs. Pharmacological management should therefore be viewed and incorporated as one component of a multi-disciplinary comprehensive treatment plan for specific requirements of a patient depending on the stage of the disorder. As there is a dearth of studies evaluating the use of psychopharmacology for EDs in C&As we first review the findings from studies performed in adults and then discuss specific studies performed in C&As. We include information from reviews and treatment guidelines to assist the clinician with an approach to the use of psychopharmacological agents in the treatment of EDs in C&As.
a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Stellenbosch University PO Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505 , South Africa.
Leigh L
LL
van den Heuvel
Gerhard P
GP
Jordaan
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019167:Appetite Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D019167:Appetite Stimulants; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists