Medications in the treatment of eating disorders

In formulating the treatment plan for a patient with bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa, pharmacotherapy often plays an integral role. Controlled clinical trials with antidepressant medications have demonstrated significant reductions in frequency of binge eating and self-induced vomiting in patients with bulimia nervosa. Thus, medication can play a valuable role in treatment of bulimia nervosa, particularly in the patient who fails to respond satisfactorily to an initial trial of psychotherapy, or who presents with concurrent major depression or anxiety disorder. The role of medication in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is less well established, although there is increasing interest in clinical research on the adjunctive use of antidepressant medications of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class, in combination with psychotherapeutic interventions. Future clinical investigations may help to identify characteristic symptom patterns in patients with eating disorders who are most Likely to benefit from medication treatment.