The medications most commonly used to treat bulimia are antidepressants, typically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
What is the best antidepressant for bulimia?
The antidepressants that are most commonly used to reduce the binge-purge cycle associated with bulimia is Prozac (aka Fluoxetine). Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Prozac has proven to reduce binge-purge cycles in bulimia.
Which is the only SSRI that is FDA approved for bulimia treatment?
Of the SSRIs, Prozac (the commercial name for Fluoxetine) is the most studied for the treatment of bulimia nervosa, and it is also the only medication specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) for adults with bulimia nervosa.
Are antidepressants effective for bulimia?
Antidepressants compared with placebo for bulimia nervosa Individual antidepressants are effective for the treatment of bulimia nervosa when compared to placebo treatment, with an overall greater remission rate but a higher rate of dropouts.
What are 3 treatments for bulimia?
The primary treatment for bulimia often combines psychotherapy, antidepressants, and nutritional counseling. It is helpful to find a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with eating disorders.
Why is fluoxetine good for bulimia?
The imbalance of serotonin levels in the body can increase urges to binge and purge in women and men who have bulimia. Antidepressant medications may decrease these urges by effectively balancing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
What is considered the first line therapy for bulimia?
Although cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment of choice for bulimia nervosa, its effectiveness is limited. Approximately 50 percent of patients who receive this therapy stop binge eating and purging.
Why is bupropion contraindicated in bulimia?
Bupropion is contraindicated because of the increased risk for seizures; patients should also be warned against its use for smoking cessation. Finally, drugs that can increase appetite or cause weight gain (e.g., olanzapine, mirtazapine, paroxetine) are not recommended.
Is sertraline good for bulimia?
This study confirms that sertraline is well tolerated and effective in reducing binge-eating crises and purging in patients with BN.
Is fluoxetine FDA approved for bulimia?
Article highlights. Medications for the maintenance of eating disorders, bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED), are limited. Fluoxetine for BN and lisdexamfetamine for BED are the only FDA-approved medications.
How does serotonin affect bulimia?
Physiologic and pharmacologic evidence suggest that patients with normal weight bulimia have reduced serotonin activity when acutely ill. Such disturbances, even if secondary to dietary abnormalities, may still contribute to dysphoric mood and binging behavior.
Which treatment is most effective for clients diagnosed with bulimia?
Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of individual counseling. It focuses on changing your thinking (cognitive) and behavior (behavioral). Treatment includes techniques for developing healthy attitudes toward food and weight.
Is citalopram good for bulimia?
Citalopram may be useful in depressed patients with bulimia, whereas fluoxetine is more specific for those with introjected anger and bulimia.
Does Lexapro treat bulimia?
The most effective medications currently used for depression/anxiety/bulimia/binge eating disorder/premenstrual mood disorders are: SSRIs include Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft, and Celexa. These antidepressant medications can help people get increased control over their eating and lessen the urge to binge and purge.
How long does it take Prozac to work for bulimia?
But studies have found that people who respond well to Prozac may do so as early as 3 weeks. Talk to your healthcare provider if you don’t notice any improvement in bulimia symptoms after taking Prozac for a few weeks.
What are 3 characteristics of bulimia?
- Usually a normal or above average body weight.
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating and fear of not being able to stop eating.
- Self-induced vomiting (usually secretive)
- Excessive exercise.
- Excessive fasting.
- Peculiar eating habits or rituals.
How does CBT work for bulimia?
In CBT, the therapist works collaboratively with the patient to disrupt the factors maintaining the binge-purge cycle with the goal to achieve abstinence from these behaviors. This treatment is typically administered individually, but it can be delivered in group format.
What are 3 complications of bulimia?
Possible complications include: Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning. Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure. Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Severe tooth decay and gum disease.
Are antipsychotics used for bulimia?
Up to now, there is no proof of efficacy for any antidepressant or atypical antipsychotic with respect to weight gain; atypical antipsychotics may be helpful for ruminating or excessive motor hyperactivity. For bulimia nervosa antidepressants are the pharmacotherapy of first choice.
Is there an antidepressant that causes weight loss?
Most antidepressant medications are more commonly associated with weight gain, but there are three that have been connected to weight loss: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
How does trazodone help bulimia?
It may also help some people lose weight. Trazodone, a tricyclic antidepressant, which helps to reduce binge and purge behaviors in people with bulimia. It’s not associated with weight gain, unlike many other antidepressants.
What has the FDA stated with regard to medication treatments for bulimia?
Types of prescription drug therapy FDA has approved only one prescription drug (fluoxetine, brand name Prozac) specifically for treating bulimia nervosa, based on data submitted to FDA that tested the medication in patients with bulimia nervosa.
Which antidepressant is best for anorexia?
Use of SSRIs—primarily fluoxetine and to some extent citalopram, sertraline, or mirtazapine—may aid in relapse prevention and improvement of psychiatric symptomatology in weight-restored anorexic patients.
Which drug has been used to help reduce binges and vomiting in persons with bulimia nervosa?
Ondansetron (Zofran®, GlaxoSmithKline) (24mg/day), an anti-emetic medication, is also reported to reduce binge eating and self-induced vomiting in a small placebo-controlled study of 29 patients with bulimia nervosa.
Can you take Wellbutrin if you are bulimic?
Bupropion/naltrexone should be avoided in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, history of seizures, or if there is a recent history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa.