Use of Reboxetine in Bulimia Nervosa: A Pilot Study

The pharmacological approach to bulimia nervosa is mainly based (BN) on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but many elements suggest the possible involvement of the noradrenergic system in this disorder. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of reboxetine – aselective norepinephrine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 2004-09, Vol.18 (3), p.423-428
Main Authors: Fassino, Secondo, Daga, Giovanni Abbate, Boggio, Sonia, Garzaro, Lorenzo, Pierò, Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects
Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Adult
Ambulatory Care
Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Body Mass Index
Bulimia
Bulimia - drug therapy
Drug therapy
Female
Humans
Medical sciences
Morpholines - adverse effects
Morpholines - therapeutic use
Neuropharmacology
Personality Disorders - drug therapy
Personality Inventory
Pharmacology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Pilot Projects
Prospective Studies
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:The pharmacological approach to bulimia nervosa is mainly based (BN) on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but many elements suggest the possible involvement of the noradrenergic system in this disorder. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of reboxetine – aselective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor – in a sample of bulimicoutpatients, after 3 months of treatment. Twenty-eight of 77consecutively admitted patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of BN (without Axis I comorbidity) received reboxetine. All patients were assessed at baseline (T0), and after 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T3), respectively, of treatment with reboxetine 4 mg/day. The subjects were administered the following questionnaires: Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and for Depression (HAM-D), Global Assessment Functioning (GAF), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Sixty percent of the patients were responsive to treatment(evaluated as a 50% decrease of bulimic behaviours). After 3 months of treatment, a significant reduction emerged in the scores of various EDI-2 subscales (Bulimia, Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, Social Insecurity, Interpersonal Distrust, etc.) and in the BSQ total score. Moreover, depressive symptoms (HAM-D) and Global Functioning (GAF) scores showed a significant improvement. These data support a fast and favourable effect of reboxetine in the treatment of BN, both onsymptoms and psychopathological features. Moreover, the specific and strong action of reboxetine on improvement of social functioning is also supported in this disorder.
ISSN:0269-8811
1461-7285
DOI:10.1177/026988110401800314