Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high‐dose escitalopram in the treatment of binge‐eating disorder (BED) associated with obesity.
Method
Forty‐four outpatients with BED by DSM‐IV criteria and obesity were randomized to receive either escitalopram (N = 21) or placebo (N = 23) in a 12‐week, double‐blind, flexible dose (10–30 mg/day) study.
Results
In the primary analysis, escitalopram (mean dose 26.5 mg/day) and placebo had similar rates of reduction of binge episodes, binge days and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms of BED. However, escitalopram was associated with statistically significant reductions in weight, body mass index (BMI), and global severity of illness scores. In a secondary analysis, escitalopram was associated with statistically significant reductions in frequency of binge episodes and binge days, weight, BMI and severity of illness, but not in obsessive‐compulsive symptoms of BED. No changes in metabolic variables, including measures of ghrelin and leptin, were observed. High‐dose escitalopram was well tolerated.
Conclusion
High‐dose escitalopram was not efficacious in reducing obsessive‐compulsive symptoms of BED, but was efficacious in reducing weight and global severity of illness. No definitive conclusions about its efficacy in reducing binge‐eating frequency could be drawn due to limitations related to statistical power. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.