Drugs in the treatment of bulimia nervosa

The neuro-transmitter serotonin seems to be important in the treatment of disturbed eating behaviour. In Anorexia Nervosa (AN) a serotonin antagonist has been proposed, whereas in Bulimia Nervosa (BN) serotonin agonists have been used with success, e.g. fenfluramine. A new generation of antidepressants has been introduced. that selectively have a serotonergic effect. The previous tricyclic and particularly the tetracyclic antidepressants had a noradrenergic effect as well. Fluoxetine belongs to the new generation. A total of 30 females with BN were treated with fluoxetine in an open study. Clinical effect was observed after 2 to 6 weeks. One patient discontinued after 3 weeks, the other were treated for 3 to 10 months. A moderate effect with 75% reduction of bingeing and purging was observed in 15 patients, 14 stopped bingeing and purging. There was no serious side effects. However, drug treatment alone had no significant effect. The fluoxetine treatment is not instead of, but in addition to the traditional behavioral treatment with strict limits regarding food and meals.