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Psychopharmacologic Management of Eating Disorders

  • Eating Disorders (J Steinglass, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Identifying medications that may be used as therapeutic agents for eating disorders is a longstanding focus of research, with varying degrees of success. The present review consolidates the most recent findings on pharmacological treatment of three eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).

Recent Findings

Recent research suggests that olanzapine demonstrates positive effects on weight gain among outpatients with AN. There are fewer recent advances in psychopharmacological treatment for BN and BED, likely due to the relative success of prior medication trials.

Summary

Olanzapine is the first medication to safely promote weight gain among individuals with AN. Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for BN treatment, and lisdexamfetamine is FDA-approved for BED treatment. BN and BED also generally respond well to SSRIs prescribed off-label. Research on psychopharmacological treatments for other eating disorders, such as avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders, are sorely needed.

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Drs. Muratore and Attia contributed to the research review, conceptualization, and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alexandra F. Muratore.

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Dr. Attia serves as a clinical advisor to Equip Health, Inc., and receives royalties from UpToDate. The authors have no other competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

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Muratore, A.F., Attia, E. Psychopharmacologic Management of Eating Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 24, 345–351 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01340-5

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