Aripiprazole in anorexia nervosa and low-weight bulimia nervosa: case reports

There has been much interest in the use of atypical antipsychotics in anorexia nervosa (AN). However, newer, more weight-neutral medications have not been studied in AN, and there are no reports of the use of antipsychotics in bulimia nervosa (BN).

We report on the treatment of eight patients (five with AN and three with BN) with aripiprazole for time periods of four months to more than three years.

All individuals had reduced distress around eating, fewer obsessional thoughts about food, weight and body image, significant lessening of eating-disordered behaviors, and gradual weight restoration where appropriate. Depression, generalized anxiety, and cognitive flexibility improved as well.

In summary, these findings support the need to perform controlled trials of aripiprazole in AN and BN.