Binge eating disorder is an illness characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes during which a person eats excessive amounts of food. The binge eater feels helpless to control or change behaviors and often suffers from serious emotional and physical complications. When combined with other treatment forms such as psychotherapy, certain medications may help reduce binging behaviors, improve emotional health and, in some cases, promote weight management.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), may be helpful in adjusting certain brain chemicals in people with binge eating disorder. Fluoxetine and Prozac are examples of these medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, it isn't clear how SSRIs and TCAs reduce binge eating behaviors, but experts suspect that the medications have a positive impact on people's moods. Since binge behaviors are highly influenced and often triggered by a person's emotions, the urge to binge may lessen as emotional well-being improves. Since many people suffering from binge eating disorder had depression prior to the onset of their eating disorder, antidepressants may help treat the underlying cause, an important aspect of treatment.
Topiramate (Topamax)
Topiramate (Topamax) is an anticonvulsant medication traditionally used to treat migraines and to reduce seizures in people with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. According to the Mayo Clinic, topiramate may also help reduce binge behaviors in people with binge eating disorder. In a study published by the Canadian Psychiatric Association in April 2002, all eight patients with binge eating disorder who took 150mg of topiramate daily for a period of eight weeks showed improvements in their binge behaviors. Half of these patients experienced total remission, remaining binge-free. Topiramate may cause serious side effects in some people such as numbness, burning or tingling sensations and difficulty thinking clearly.
Sibutramine (Meridia)
The anti-obesity medication, sibutramine (Meridia), may help people with binge eating disorder who are significantly overweight. According to the Weight-loss Information Network, most people who have the disorder are significantly overweight, and morbidly obese individuals are more likely to have it than the moderately obese. While sibutramine is an SNRI antidepressant, it is differentiated from other antidepressants in that it has been utilized to support long-term obesity treatment. The Mayo Clinic suggests that sibutramine has been found to reduce a person's appetite and increase satiation. It may pose side effects, however, such as dangerous changes in blood pressure, constipation, dizziness and dry mouth. Medications aimed toward weight loss is most effective in treating binge eating disorder when combined with behavioral and emotional therapies that focus on psychological aspects of the illness.
