Reboxetine in the treatment of bulimia nervosa:: a report of seven cases

Controlled trials in patients with bulimia ner osa have demonstrated efficacy of antidepressant medications with serotonergic function (e.g. fluoxetine) as well as noradrenergic function (e.g. desipramine). Seven outpatients with bulimia nervosa according to DSM-IV criteria were treated openly with 8 mg of reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NRI) over a 12-week period. The patients were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, Clinical Global Impression, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D), Eating Disorder Inventory, Eating Disorders Questionnaire, daily self-ratings of eating behaviour, and the UKU side-effect rating scale. Three patients dropped out prematurely, one after 6 weeks and two after 4 weeks of reboxetine treatment. The reasons for premature attrition were rapid remission in one patient after 2 weeks and constipation, which led to an increase in episodes of laxative intake in two patients. In the total group, the monthly binge eating frequency showed a reduction of 73% and the frequency of vomiting episodes per month decreased by 67%. Furthermore, there was a concomitant decrease of depression ratings (HAM-D: from 12.2-6.1). Reboxetine seems to be an option for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.