title: Preliminary Evidence for the Off-Label Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa With Psychostimulants: Six Case Reports.
abstract: Psychostimulants have been assessed in bulimia nervosa patients with comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few studies have examined the impact of psychostimulants on bulimia nervosa patients without comorbid ADHD. The aim of this study was to examine psychostimulants as a potential treatment for bulimia nervosa and to assess the concern of weight loss, given the medication's appetite-suppressing effects. This retrospective study describes 6 case reports of outpatients who were prescribed a psychostimulant specifically for their bulimia nervosa. The number of binge/purge days per months and body mass index were assessed. All patients demonstrated reductions in the number of binge/purge days per month, and 1 patient experienced total remission of bulimic symptoms. Minor fluctuations in weight were observed, but no clinically significant reductions in weight were noted. These findings support the need for clinical trials to examine the efficacy and safety of this potential treatment.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorder Program, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.|Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keshen
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorder Program, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Helson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000661:Amphetamine; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine
keywords: body mass index; bulimia nervosa; eating disorders; off-label; psychostimulants