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Suppression of Bulimic Symptoms with Methylamphetamine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Yong Lock Ong ,
Stuart A. Checkley  and
G. F. M. Russell
Yong Lock Ong
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, The Institute of Psychiatry and the Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
Stuart A. Checkley
Affiliation:
The Institute of Psychiatry and the Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
G. F. M. Russell
Affiliation:
The Institute of Psychiatry and the Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Summary

Eight patients with bulimia nervosa were given methylamphetamine or placebo intravenously under double blind controlled conditions. In every patient, methylamphetamine reduced self-ratings of hunger and amount of food eaten as measured under laboratory conditions. This shows that the food intake of patients with bulimia nervosa can be modified by experimental drugs. The symptom of bulimia (rapid, excessive and distressing eating) which may be followed by self-induced vomiting or purgation was seen in four patients after receiving placebo but in none after receiving methylamphetamine. These findings suggest that the severe symptom of bulimia may be amenable to drug treatment. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism by which methylamphetamine appears to prevent bulimia.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 143 , Issue 3 , September 1983 , pp. 288 - 293
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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