World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The treatment of eating disorders is a complex process that relies not only on the use of psychotropic drugs but should include also nutritional counselling, psychotherapy and the treatment of the medical complications, where they are present. In this review recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED)) are presented, based on the available literature.

METHODS:

The guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders are based on studies published between 1977 and 2010. A search of the literature included: anorexia nervosa bulimia nervosa, eating disorder and binge eating disorder. Many compounds have been studied in the therapy of eating disorders (AN: antidepressants (TCA, SSRIs), antipsychotics, antihistaminics, prokinetic agents, zinc, Lithium, naltrexone, human growth hormone, cannabis, clonidine and tube feeding; BN: antidepressants (TCA, SSRIs, RIMA, NRI, other AD), antiepileptics, odansetron, d-fenfluramine Lithium, naltrexone, methylphenidate and light therapy; BED: antidepressants (TCA, SSRIs, SNRIs, NRI), antiepileptics, baclofen, orlistat, d-fenfluramine, naltrexone).

RESULTS:

In AN 20 randomized controlled trials (RCT) could be identified. For zinc supplementation there is a grade B evidence for AN. For olanzapine there is a category grade B evidence for weight gain. For the other atypical antipsychotics there is grade C evidence. In BN 36 RCT could be identified. For tricyclic antidepressants a grade A evidence exists with a moderate-risk-benefit ratio. For fluoxetine a category grade A evidence exists with a good risk-benefit ratio. For topiramate a grade 2 recommendation can be made. In BED 26 RCT could be identified. For the SSRI sertraline and the antiepileptic topiramate a grade A evidence exists, with different recommendation grades.

CONCLUSIONS:

Additional research is needed for the improvement of the treatment of eating disorders. Especially for anorexia nervosa there is a need for further pharmacological treatment strategies.

• Authors: Martin Aigner, Janet Treasure, Walter Kaye, Siegfried Kasper, WFSBP Task Force On Eating Disorders
• Journal: The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (World J Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 12 Issue 6 Pg. 400-43 (Sep 2011) ISSN: 1814-1412 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21961502 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Practice Guideline, Review)
• Copyright: © 2011 Informa Healthcare

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressive Agents
• Antipsychotic Agents

Topics

• Anorexia Nervosa (drug therapy)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antipsychotic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Binge-Eating Disorder (drug therapy)
• Bulimia Nervosa (drug therapy)
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (classification, complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic